as in to store
to put (something of future use or value) in a safe or secret place
the weather forecast warned of a severe storm, so we laid away a generous supply of bottled water and canned food just in case
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in installment plan
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lay away
Tom Hyland, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2021
Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2025
Adopted from South Korea as a baby, she was raised lovingly by parents who did their best, recalling a home where household goods were often purchased on layaway.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay away
Verb
Yet, despite the tannins, Freisa is not a wine to lay away in most examples, but rather one that should be enjoyed early on, often chilled, with soups, seafood or lighter meats.
—Tom Hyland, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2021
Noun
There is also a layaway plan for single-day general admission tickets that starts at $50.
—Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2025
Adopted from South Korea as a baby, she was raised lovingly by parents who did their best, recalling a home where household goods were often purchased on layaway.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay away
Verb
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The red mesh sack, of the kind typically used to store oranges or onions, is stamped with her name, immigration number and date of deportation.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
After years of sustained demand, the snack returned to store shelves in 2020.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At the time, the city offered businesses a 12-month installment plan to resolve their outstanding taxes.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
In February 2009, former Diamondbacks CEO Jeff Moorad became the Padres’ CEO and presumptive team owner after majority owner John Moores agreed to a three-year installment plan to transfer control of the club.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Bowen left his uncle’s house around noon to find another place to stash his weapon, his friend’s apartment in Plantation, the affidavit said.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
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Over decades, London has become a safety-deposit box for the global, uber-rich to stash unexplained wealth, often in multi-million dollar homes that sit dark and empty most of the year.—
Frank Langfitt,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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It's also barred from reporting medical debt to credit bureaus and required to erase debt in some cases.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
For many, the math was already hard before the credits expired.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Years before the rise of Instagram, Banksy figured out that the key to real influence lay in not being famous, exactly, but in being anonymous.—
Laurie Kellman,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
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Years before the rise of Instagram, Banksy figured out that the key to real influence lay in not being famous, exactly, but in being anonymous.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But thanks to their reproductive vigor — females can lay up to 25,000 eggs in a single season — their numbers quickly hopped out of hand.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
13 Mar. 2026
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Female wasps can lay up to 200 eggs a day as long as a host insect is available.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While a few noted that the croissant had decent flavor, most were off-put by the lack of color and dough-like texture.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
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Flip the script and set up an entryway for staying put by placing a comfy daybed by the door.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Oct. 2025
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20away. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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