1
as in puts
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
3
as in imposes
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 prepares
to make ready in advance
she's laying plans for the charity auction months ahead of time
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in applies
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
7
as in ascribes
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 buries
to place (a dead body) in the earth, a tomb, or the sea
lay the corpse to rest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in ballads
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment
she sang a short lay in dedication to her husband
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in works
the activity by which one regularly makes a living
my main lay is as a general contractor, but I do side work as a carpenter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lays
Amanda Le, InStyle, 4 Apr. 2026
Their first conversation is comically lopsided, and McKellen, purring his way through what is effectively a monologue, lays the groundwork for his most vividly inhabited and hilariously irascible performance in years.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
This lays the foundation for a next phase in which flexible perovskite solar modules can find their way into commercial applications.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026
Once Towns lays the screen for Brunson, Castle switches onto the point guard, a crafty one-on-one scorer who chooses not to go at Castle and swings the ball to the other side of the court.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
The New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a parasitic fly that lays eggs in the open wounds and orifices of live animals, including humans.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
In her report, Pappas lays the blame on virtually every nook and cranny of government in the state of Illinois.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Each year, every female lays eggs with a consistent base color and similar markings, which vary between individuals.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Mar. 2026
Sean Gallup | Getty Images Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday said the country had signed an agreement on defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia that lays the foundation for future contracts and investment.
—Anniek Bao,sam Meredith, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
While the 40-foot steeple of Crown Point’s oldest church lays toppled along Grant Street and East North Street, treasures found inside the 139-year-old church have found their way into new light.
—Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
Here, a light blue base lays underneath bright blue French tips.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 4 Apr. 2026
Their first conversation is comically lopsided, and McKellen, purring his way through what is effectively a monologue, lays the groundwork for his most vividly inhabited and hilariously irascible performance in years.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
This lays the foundation for a next phase in which flexible perovskite solar modules can find their way into commercial applications.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026
Once Towns lays the screen for Brunson, Castle switches onto the point guard, a crafty one-on-one scorer who chooses not to go at Castle and swings the ball to the other side of the court.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
The New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a parasitic fly that lays eggs in the open wounds and orifices of live animals, including humans.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
In her report, Pappas lays the blame on virtually every nook and cranny of government in the state of Illinois.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Each year, every female lays eggs with a consistent base color and similar markings, which vary between individuals.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Mar. 2026
Sean Gallup | Getty Images Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday said the country had signed an agreement on defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia that lays the foundation for future contracts and investment.
—Anniek Bao,sam Meredith, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
Before us, in a curtain of matte black against the vibrant green, a beautiful, enormous silverback lays flopped on his back surrounded by eight gorillas of all ages wrestling around him.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
While the 40-foot steeple of Crown Point’s oldest church lays toppled along Grant Street and East North Street, treasures found inside the 139-year-old church have found their way into new light.
—Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lays
Verb
-
Instead, Carryboy puts the wet bathroom directly across the aisle and has the kitchen block extend out into the rear of the side entryway.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Understanding the options — from headers to fabric types — puts you in a stronger position to make choices that truly serve your space and your daily life.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And always vacuum up the dust that settles on the floor afterwards.—
Sunshine Flint,
Architectural Digest,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Once this bet settles within 30 days, your $365 in bonus bets will be credited automatically.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Plaintiffs' lawyers say the latest policy also imposes unprecedented rules dictating when reporters can offer anonymity to sources.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
However, this method imposes strict physical limits on size and power consumption, making further miniaturisation difficult.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As The Studio prepares its return to Hollywood for Season 2, the cast will be missing one bright star following Catherine O’Hara’s death at age 71.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
4 Apr. 2026
-
As the church prepares to celebrate Christ’s resurrection on Easter, its members hope for renewal and liberation of their homeland as the fate of its governance hangs in the balance.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The bill only applies to social media platforms with $1 billion or more in annual advertising revenue, a pool that includes other social media giants such as YouTube and TikTok but may not capture other popular platforms like Discord, which is widely used by gamers.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The overtime deduction applies to compensation covered under the Fair Labor Standards Act, or FLSA.—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The prediction market’s CEO, Tarek Mansour, told CNBC that bets on Bad Bunny’s first song alone exceeded $100 million in volume.—
Josephine Rozzelle,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
-
If a new account opens and immediately bets on a single player micro-market, that’s suspicious.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Brewer ascribes Starbucks’ success in Italy, where even the average person is a coffee connoisseur, to offering people, especially young people, a place to relax and enjoy a coffee.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
-
This breakup analysis ascribes no value to the companies being under the same corporate parent.—
Peter Cohan,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Placer County Water Agency has mapped out $295 million in projects that will upgrade infrastructure, such as rebuilding plants and rehabbing buries pipes, from the foothills to the freeway.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Despite such doubts, Malaysia is positioning itself as Southeast Asia's hub for the alternative technology, a three-step process that captures, transports and buries carbon dioxide which contributes to climate change.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lays. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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