1
as in spreads
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 employs
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 lays on
Verb
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The original problem may start in one area, but suddenly the emergency response spreads much farther than intended or needed.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
24 May 2026 -
The heat spreads, contributing to what’s known as the urban heat island effect, said Vincent Cotrone, extension educator of urban forestry at Pennsylvania State University.—
Aya Diab,
Fortune,
23 May 2026
Verb
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Concha said the show employs 22 writers to write Colbert’s monologues, according to the show credits.—
Britta Miller,
The Washington Examiner,
22 May 2026
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In all, the nonprofit employs 31,000 people, with 18 regional hospitals and more than 420 clinics throughout Iowa and portions of Illinois and Wisconsin.—
Kevin Baskins,
Des Moines Register,
21 May 2026
Verb
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The measure applies only to the Senate, not the House, highlighting ongoing tensions between the two chambers over responsibility for funding the federal government.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
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This applies especially for pets, because the algae can be extremely dangerous to their health.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Both hires reflect Graham’s desire to improve the Bulls’ ability to identify, acquire and develop talent — critical for a team with two first-round and two second-round picks in this year’s draft.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
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They are obligated to pay him until another team hires him and would be on the hook for any differential in salary over that time.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Vals is a mountain village (with an elevation of about 4,100 feet) that lays claim to a natural 86-degree spring—the only one in the Grisons canton to come directly from the ground.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
25 May 2026
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Courtesy of Truth or Consequences Brewing Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, with a population of about 6,000 people, lays claim to not only one of the most unusual town names in the United States, but also a unique brewery tour, involving over one million Mexican free-tail bats.—
Don Tse,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
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The suit identifies Smith as CEO of Community Health as well as another company that recruits doctors to provide healthcare for church members.—
Scott Zamost,Paige Tortorelli,
CNBC,
20 May 2026
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Luckily, India’s intelligence bureau recruits him to become a spy for them – under the alias Hamza – to infiltrate the criminal organizations responsible for terrorist attacks against their country.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
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This chilling, starkly beautiful ambient piece draws Nebraska’s marginal whispers to the forefront and smears them across the picture plane.—
Sasha Geffen,
Pitchfork,
10 Mar. 2026
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The five pieces offer, in turn, biomorphic hints of de Kooning, the ragged shapes of Clyfford Still, the bold geometries of Ellsworth Kelly, the paint smears of Gerhard Richter, and something that looks like toothpaste squeezed onto an orange peel.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
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In scenes where Yura remembers her childhood and its connection to the beast, the animation takes on a gauzier, more primitive style that matches the film’s more cosmic, oceanic themes.—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
1 May 2026
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Indulge in signature relaxation treatments at the spa and discover elevated takes on classic Southern dishes at Trade Root, the on-site restaurant.—
Ellie Nan Storck,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Lays on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lays%20on. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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