as in to abandon
to stop doing (something) permanently
we warned him to lay off of the cigarette smoking
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay off (of)
Verb
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Administrator Crystal Ruth switches on dozens of heat lamps that radiate a yellow hue to warm at least 80 disabled, abandoned or formerly abused animals that call the rescue home.—
Julian Camejo,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026 -
It sat abandoned until 1969, when a group of Native American activists occupied the island and remained there for the next two years, according to NPS.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Side effects, mostly gastrointestinal issues, led between 5% and 10% of participants in the orforglipron study to discontinue treatment, compared with nearly 3% in the placebo group.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
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Laura also requested respite care for nighttime tube feeds, but the warrant says a doctor told her those would be discontinued because her son was taking medication by mouth without issue.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At the Greeley plant, union officials said the company tried to intimidate workers to quit the union in one-on-one meetings, union general counsel Matt Shechter said.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
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Still, cuts to the airport security agency would come at a critical time for air travel with rising concerns about air safety after more than 500 TSA officers quit in recent weeks and amid a longstanding shortage of air traffic controllers.—
Reuters,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Look for signage directing you to an ADA shuttle that will be available to pick you up at the Miami Intermodal Center and drop you off at Nu Stadium.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
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The Twins’ center fielder immediately dropped his bat, hopped up and down and walked straight off the field and into the tunnel leading to the clubhouse.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Lay off (of).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20off%20%28of%29. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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