as in to fasten
to attach (a rope) to something so that it is secure
The climber belayed the rope.
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Recent Examples of belay
The ship’s resting place deep underwater helped preserve key features, like bow clamps and belaying pins, by limiting the growth of invasive quagga mussels, as noted in the release.
—
Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Drinking should happen after you’re done belaying for the day.
—Outside Editors, Outside Online, 3 July 2025
So the climbers who found the elk helped rig him up to belay the creature to the base of the wall, officials said.
—Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 7 Jan. 2025
Born as a design concept to give climbers a shoe to wear for quick access to the crag, comfort when belaying and recovery after a climb, the Kragg fills a need.
—Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for belay
Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Drinking should happen after you’re done belaying for the day.
—Outside Editors, Outside Online, 3 July 2025
So the climbers who found the elk helped rig him up to belay the creature to the base of the wall, officials said.
—Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 7 Jan. 2025
Born as a design concept to give climbers a shoe to wear for quick access to the crag, comfort when belaying and recovery after a climb, the Kragg fills a need.
—Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for belay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belay
Verb
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Filipowski had his right leg wrapped in plastic to fasten an ice bag to his kneecap afterward.—
Aaron Beard,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
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Her veil was secured with a comb where her hair was fastened.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Richardo Gonzalez and Justin Leonard are tied for third, four shots behind Toms.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Second baseman Cole Cramer singled to score Franco and tie the game.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As tariffs provoke backlash and global trade uncertainty, markets for Texas exports have been curtailed, clipping the wings of our economy.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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Mulching grass clipping and leaves through your mower will return organic matter to your lawn.—
Chris McKeown,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The ’25 Red Sox went 89-73 and clinched one of the three AL Wild Cards, their first winning season and first postseason berth since 2021.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
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If lawmakers can’t clinch a deal to keep the department open, Britt said Congress’ upcoming recess should be curtailed.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Iran’s rulers, like many religious fundamentalists, celebrate indifference to earthly life and pin their sights on posthumous rewards.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
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Once Daniel Ballard plays the ball to Hume, Brobbey adjusts his position to pin Palace’s central centre-back, Maxence Lacroix, and Enzo Le Fee takes a position between the lines.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As the comedy progresses, its buoyant tone clenches and darkens, and the plot bends and lurches, in ways that, to me, felt unnecessarily punitive toward both Haru and the audience.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
31 Jan. 2026
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My stomach clenched with worry.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On Wednesday afternoon, a four-person astronaut crew is set to strap into a SpaceX capsule and undock from the International Space Station.—
Nell Greenfieldboyce,
NPR,
14 Jan. 2026
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Tuck keys, phone, cards, and a few other essentials into the bag, strap it on, and be on your way.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
28 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Belay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belay. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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