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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
The new method dramatically reduced the setup process, giving them more time to remove the fire pit, lay down the foundation and assemble the pool.
—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
20 June 2026
For extra flair, grab a floral wreath for a pop of color, or lay down this area rug for a cozy vibe.
—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
20 June 2026
To celebrate, Gazza lay down on the grass and opened his mouth wide, imitating the dentist’s chair that had got him and his team-mates into so much bother a few weeks earlier.
—
The Athletic Uk Staff,
New York Times,
18 June 2026
With runners on first and third, Alex Freeland laid down a bunt to Rasmussen.
—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
20 June 2026
For extra flair, grab a floral wreath for a pop of color, or lay down this area rug for a cozy vibe.
—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
20 June 2026
To celebrate, Gazza lay down on the grass and opened his mouth wide, imitating the dentist’s chair that had got him and his team-mates into so much bother a few weeks earlier.
—
The Athletic Uk Staff,
New York Times,
18 June 2026
With runners on first and third, Alex Freeland laid down a bunt to Rasmussen.
—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for lay down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay down
Verb
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The Islamic Republic is expected to enact unprecedented security measures, overseen by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, while the Basij paramilitary force will coordinate logistics, accommodation and crowd management across the various cities.
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Passed as the second of three Reconstruction amendments, the 14th Amendment was enacted after the Civil War.
Verb
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In 2012, when Mark Walter and his partners bought the Dodgers, team president Stan Kasten declared mediocrity would no longer be acceptable.
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However, the polarizing trend has officially been declared *the* pants of summer 2026 thanks to celebrities like Kendall Jenner, Jennifer Lopez, Hailey Bieber, and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Verb
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Harry last saw his father in February 2024, shortly after it was announced that the monarch was undergoing treatment for cancer, though the palace never specified the type.
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Health officials declined to identify the facilities or to specify reasons, other than saying that the long-term care industry opens facilities and increases or decreases beds based on business factors.
Verb
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Willow Nightingale relinquished the championship in May due to a shoulder injury that also forced her out of the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament, leading AEW to create this match to crown a new champion.
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But for Iran, reopening the strait does not mean relinquishing control of it.
Verb
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The council would then examine the details surrounding the change before passing an ordinance expanding those voting rights.
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Congress passed a law making Independence Day a federal holiday on June 28, 1870.
Verb
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Kavanaugh could have limited his separate opinion to asserting that Trump’s order couldn’t override a federal law, which was all that was needed to decide the case.
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Lawyers in the gas station lawsuit assert that technology is enabling antitrust violations.
Verb
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Victor Willis, Village People’s lead singer, dies Victor Willis, lead singer of the Village People who helped define the disco movement of the 1970s, died June 30.
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Instead of looking only for escapements or technical innovation, Newman encourages appreciation of cases, dials, proportions, engraving, and overall design—the same qualities that define today’s most desirable independent watches.
Verb
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About 11,000 light-years away from Earth, the supernova Cassiopeia A’s X-rays (seen above) are rendered in blue and purple, while infrared wavelengths are shown in red and white using data from JWST.
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Still, Twain squandered his own fortune and Livy’s inheritance on developing Paige’s invention, even as the Mergenthaler Linotype became the industry standard, rendering Paige’s machine worthless.
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 6 Jul. 2026.
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