1
as in putting
to arrange something in a certain spot or position
just lay the book over there on the table for now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in settling
to cause to come to rest at the bottom (as of a liquid)
the rain was just hard enough to lay the dust in the air
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in imposing
to establish or apply as a charge or penalty
state officials tried to lay a tax on merchandise sold over the Internet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in preparing
to make ready in advance
she's laying plans for the charity auction months ahead of time
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in spreading
to put a layer of on a surface
the mason laid mortar over the first row of bricks before starting the second
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in betting
to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event
I'll lay five dollars that you can't do it
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in attributing
to explain (something) as being the result of something else
an electrical fire that was laid to faulty wiring
Synonyms & Similar Words
8
as in burying
to place (a dead body) in the earth, a tomb, or the sea
lay the corpse to rest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of laying
That violence, along with forcing the closure of most of the capital’s hospitals, has left women, already facing risky births before gangs began laying siege to most neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince, even more likely to die in childbirth.
—
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 16 May 2026
The fuller picture is something more like one effort laying the road while another figured out a more efficient way to drive it.
—Zachary Utz, STAT, 15 May 2026
Writers such as Aldo Leopold and Rachel Carson published eloquent ecological and scientific rationales for wilderness preservation, wildlife management, and pollution control, laying the intellectual groundwork for the late 1960s and early ’70s boom in environmental legislation.
—John Reid, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
An Oklahoma inmate who was given a new trial after nearly three decades on death row has now been granted bond, laying the groundwork for his first release from prison since 1997.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 14 May 2026
Her visit will highlight the idea that the environment and human relationships that surround children are crucial to laying the foundations for a resilient and healthy future, Kensington Palace said in a statement.
—Silvia Stellacci, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Install fine mesh screens over drains to prevent adult flies from entering and laying eggs.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 13 May 2026
Our research suggests that integrating AI into team settings doesn’t happen naturally, and introducing AI into meetings without laying the proper groundwork can narrow participation, fragment discussions, or shift ownership away from the team.
—Gabriele Rosani, Harvard Business Review, 13 May 2026
After laying a single egg inside the female puts some paralyzed caterpillars and beetle larvae which the larva will eat.
—Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 16 May 2026
The fuller picture is something more like one effort laying the road while another figured out a more efficient way to drive it.
—Zachary Utz, STAT, 15 May 2026
Writers such as Aldo Leopold and Rachel Carson published eloquent ecological and scientific rationales for wilderness preservation, wildlife management, and pollution control, laying the intellectual groundwork for the late 1960s and early ’70s boom in environmental legislation.
—John Reid, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
An Oklahoma inmate who was given a new trial after nearly three decades on death row has now been granted bond, laying the groundwork for his first release from prison since 1997.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 14 May 2026
Her visit will highlight the idea that the environment and human relationships that surround children are crucial to laying the foundations for a resilient and healthy future, Kensington Palace said in a statement.
—Silvia Stellacci, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Install fine mesh screens over drains to prevent adult flies from entering and laying eggs.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 13 May 2026
Our research suggests that integrating AI into team settings doesn’t happen naturally, and introducing AI into meetings without laying the proper groundwork can narrow participation, fragment discussions, or shift ownership away from the team.
—Gabriele Rosani, Harvard Business Review, 13 May 2026
After laying a single egg inside the female puts some paralyzed caterpillars and beetle larvae which the larva will eat.
—Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laying
Verb
-
Using the latest version of Epic’s Unreal Engine, each Smugglers Run locale is heavily detailed, putting us in more of a dogfight as the Mandalorian chases down pirates and ex-Imperial officers.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2026
-
Still, from December and March, Leonard was one of the best players in the NBA, playing enough games to qualify for end-of-season awards while largely putting his knee issues behind him.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
Rent one from Sea Panarea to discover hidden coves, sea caves, and the nearby islets of Basiluzzo and Lisca before settling in for sunset Negronis at the see-and-be-seen Bar del Porto.—
Nicky Swallow,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
-
Others are settling for unpaid roles.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Most are talking about imposing significantly higher business taxes to pay for new or expanded programs.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
-
Yet that cannot be wielded, either logically or honestly, as an excuse for imposing war on the noble Cuban people.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Beyond the longstanding economic embargo and an oil blockade that has pushed the island’s energy crisis to its limits, the United States is preparing an indictment against former President Raúl Castro, according to sources.—
Gonzalo Zegarra,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
-
All rights reserved SpaceX is preparing for the next major test of its Starship launch system, with liftoff targeted for Tuesday evening from the company’s Starbase facility in South Texas.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2026
-
Hantavirus misinformation is spreading fast.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
During a January game on ESPN, for example, a commentator described betting that a specific player would score at least 30 points before a second commentator announced a DraftKings promo code.—
Luke Connors,
Washington Post,
19 May 2026
-
Betano was the World Cup’s first-ever betting sponsor four years ago when parent company Kaizen Gaming signed a Europe-only deal for the 2022 edition in Qatar.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Yeah, add that to the long list of unsupported claims about these vaccines that have ranged from various anti-vaxxers asserting that the vaccines will turn you into a gigantic magnet to attributing seemingly every celebrity illness and death during the COVID-19 pandemic to the COVID-19 vaccines.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Slok has previously invoked Jevons paradox to explain why AI will actually create more jobs overall, despite some employers attributing layoffs to the technology.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Young lettuce, kale, or broccoli plants should be planted so the root ball is level with the soil surface or just below; burying the stem or the crown too deeply can lead to rotting.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
15 May 2026
-
Following his return to the dugout, cameras caught him slamming a bat into his helmet before burying his face in his hands and shouting.—
Paloma Chavez,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Laying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laying. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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