1
as in to spread
to put a layer of on a surface
she lays the butter on so thickly that you hardly taste the bagel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to employ
chiefly British
to provide with a paying job
lay on more staff for the busy tourist season in the Lake District
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay on
Verb
-
With these acquisitions, the Sky are developing a clear identity for their backcourt: a lengthy and defensive-minded group with an ability to spread the floor via shooting, giving bigs Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso space to work in the paint and low post.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Feb. 2025 -
Without Toppin, the Red Raiders tried to spread the floor and attack mismatches, with associate head coach Jeff Linder moving the pieces from the sideline.—
CJ Moore,
The Athletic,
2 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Because the area was littered with munitions and explosives from World War II, researchers employed the country’s Army Mine Action Service to safely excavate the area.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
29 Jan. 2025
-
With Latinos accounting for 85% of individuals employed in such roles in Los Angeles County, the wildfires and subsequent destruction have been especially disruptive, the report said.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA TODAY,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
If there is no international federation policy, previously established International Olympic Committee policy criteria would apply.—
Eric Olson,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2025
-
This article was generated by the Kansas City Star Bot, artificial intelligence software that analyzes structured information from TomTom and applies it to templates created by journalists in the newsroom.—
Kansas City Star Bot,
Kansas City Star,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Belichick appeared roughly two months after he was hired as head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels.—
Ryan Morik,
Fox News,
7 Feb. 2025
-
United’s efforts to bridge the gap have involved hiring a running consultant.—
Matt Woosnam,
The Athletic,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Some three hundred and fifty thousand men were recruited under McNamara’s initiative, and they were killed at disproportionate rates.—
Dexter Filkins,
The New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2025
-
Highly Trained Specialists: Offshore staff recruited and managed by Office Beacon are not generalists.—
William Mullane,
USA TODAY,
1 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
But a toasted slice of hyssop focaccia smeared with more of that eerily-convincing not-ricotta and hot honey was chewy and airy, just like a good focaccia should be.—
Carina Finn,
Bon Appétit,
30 Jan. 2025
-
The authorities have detained sports fans for smearing Chinese athletes, apprehended people who swarmed airports to greet celebrities, and suspended K-pop fan accounts.—
Mara Hvistendahl,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Thesaurus Entries Near lay on
Cite this Entry
“Lay on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20on. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share