1
as in enacting
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in declaring
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in specifying
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 relinquishing
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laying down
Verb
-
Brookline, a wealthy suburb of Boston, was the first, enacting its own version in 2021.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
19 May 2026 -
Meanwhile, San Diego for years was on the cutting edge of facilitating construction of accessory dwelling units or ADUs, enacting perhaps the most permissive rules in California.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Wright has been a champion of LeBron's accomplishments for quite some time, declaring James the GOAT over Michael Jordan nearly a decade earlier, after the former's improbable Finals win over the Golden State Warriors.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
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The network noted that The View had obtained a ruling from the FCC in 2002, declaring that the show was exempt from the equal time rule.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The attacks took place near Jiyeh, about 12 miles south of the capital, Lebanon's National News Agency said, without specifying if there were casualties.—
Khaled Wassef,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
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In 2024, voters approved Proposition 130, requiring that the state direct $350 million to law enforcement, without specifying where the money should come from.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Trump has said numerous times that any final resolution would have to involve Iran relinquishing its nuclear program, either by means of a diplomatic agreement or by force.—
Chris Boccia,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
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And at the counter, where chef and guest are separated by little more than a stretch of the hand, everything rests on precision, presence and the quiet thrill of relinquishing control to the chef’s capable hands.—
Rachel Ingram,
Robb Report,
10 May 2026
Verb
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The Broncos have revamped their passing offense this offseason after the acquisition of Jaylen Waddle from the Dolphins.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
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The two scores gave Dorofeyev nine for the playoffs, passing Howden for the league lead.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Her shift in direction brought the undercurrent of R&B influence from her earliest releases to the forefront while still asserting her position in pop.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
20 May 2026
-
So, the next time someone tries to gaslight you by asserting the authority of a mythical being over your own reading, call it out.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Verb
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For customers and investors this might mean a lot more opportunities to build generation-defining companies without facing fundamental limits to scaling.—
Martin Casado,
Fortune,
20 May 2026
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Saudi Arabia’s beauty sector is undergoing a transformation that is both commercially significant and culturally defining.—
FMG Studios,
Footwear News,
20 May 2026
Verb
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Later that evening, Lennon was assassinated outside of his apartment building, rendering the interview his final words spoken on the record.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
15 May 2026
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The Polish writer-director has spent the last decade-plus rendering the period after WWII in severe black-and-white.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Laying down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laying%20down. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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