1
as in to enact
to put into effect through legislative or authoritative action
the city council promises to lay down new ordinances that will force dog walkers to clean up after their animals
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to declare
to state clearly and strongly
at the risk of their popularity, the parents laid down the rules for the party and wouldn't accept any arguments
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to specify
to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly
the supervisor laid down the procedure for a complaint of sexual harassment
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4
as in to relinquish
to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress
commanded the surrounded troops to lay down their weapons
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lay down
All factions must immediately lay down their arms, cease hostilities, and abandon cycles of tribal vengeance.
—
Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
Bogaerts moved to third when Jake Cronenworth laid down a bunt single that probably was not a sacrifice because Ferrer and catcher Riley Adams got in each other’s way going for the ball in front of the mound.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2025
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during his recent trip to Washington, DC that Hamas must lay down its arms, ceding its military and governing capability, or Israel will resume the war.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 12 July 2025
The sick boy, 4, lays down wrapped in blanket in a stable with farm animals at his bedside.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
Bogaerts moved to third when Jake Cronenworth laid down a bunt single that probably was not a sacrifice because Ferrer and catcher Riley Adams got in each other’s way going for the ball in front of the mound.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2025
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during his recent trip to Washington, DC that Hamas must lay down its arms, ceding its military and governing capability, or Israel will resume the war.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 12 July 2025
The sick boy, 4, lays down wrapped in blanket in a stable with farm animals at his bedside.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay down
Verb
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Who won Power of Veto on ‘Big Brother’? Keanu enacted his power, which allowed a former houseguest to come in and play in the Power of Veto competition for him.—
David Wysong,
The Enquirer,
24 July 2025
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Since Ecuador recognized the rights of Pachamama, the Quechua name for Mother Earth, in its Constitution in 2008, more than 500 laws on the rights of nature have been enacted around the world.—
Dana Zartner,
The Conversation,
23 July 2025
Verb
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Thursday will be sunny and hot with a high near 94 and isolated showers and thunderstorms between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Air quality alert The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has declared an air quality alert in effect in the area until midnight Wednesday, July 23.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
23 July 2025
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The arrival of the aforementioned seafood tray is the last straw, and Laurel declares the meal over.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
23 July 2025
Verb
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Advertisement Macron has not specified what territory France would recognize as being part of a Palestinian state.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
25 July 2025
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The Supreme Court, without specifying its reason, did intervene on Thursday, upholding, at least temporarily the rights of individual voters to bring vote dilution and other enforcement challenges.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
24 July 2025
Verb
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The program was created in 2010 by the La Jolla Community Foundation and subsequently was relinquished to the oversight of the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 July 2025
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Expensive, but necessary The Magic went hard after Desmond Bane of the Memphis Grizzlies, and had to relinquish a package that included four first-round picks, and a first-round pick swap to get him.—
Morten Stig Jensen,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Verb
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That legislation went through a nearly year-long debate, with committees in the House and Senate both holding several hearings and amending the legislation before it was ultimately passed in Nov. 2023.—
Arpan Lobo,
Freep.com,
24 July 2025
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As days pass, the two men form a deep bond, opening up about their regrets, dreams and the loneliness of facing death too soon.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
23 July 2025
Verb
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Brown denies the allegations, and her attorney asserts her innocence, while the city seeks restitution and damages.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 July 2025
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In his letter, Donovan asserted that the Chiefs had submitted a proposal to the state and received no response for six weeks — a claim Kelly administration officials dispute.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Digital Transformation Propelled by Emerging Technologies Significant technical innovation is defining the transformative digital age.—
Chuck Brooks,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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Medical records reportedly revealed that Hogan was previously diagnosed with atrial fibrillation — a heart condition defined as having an irregular heart rhythm — and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a form of cancer.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
31 July 2025
Verb
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What these technologies that could open up the world, and the imagination, do instead is render their children ever smaller.—
Jeremy Dauber,
HollywoodReporter,
31 July 2025
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These players were away for several days at the time when the burglaries occurred, rendering their places more vulnerable.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
31 July 2025
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20down. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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