1
as in to put
to arrange something in a certain spot or position
just lay the book over there on the table for now
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Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to impose
to establish or apply as a charge or penalty
state officials tried to lay a tax on merchandise sold over the Internet
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4
as in to prepare
to make ready in advance
she's laying plans for the charity auction months ahead of time
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5
as in to spread
to put a layer of on a surface
the mason laid mortar over the first row of bricks before starting the second
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6
7
as in to ascribe
to explain (something) as being the result of something else
an electrical fire that was laid to faulty wiring
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8
as in to bury
to place (a dead body) in the earth, a tomb, or the sea
lay the corpse to rest
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1
2
as in ballad
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 work
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
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as in laic
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of lay
Phil Clark, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2017
Whether viewed as a romp, a relic, or a route to commiseration, the series about four friends trying to find love (or at least a good lay) in the world’s most competitive concrete jungle has stood the test of time.
—John Ortved, Vogue, 29 June 2024
Joseph Marchelewski, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024
Popular tech bloggers can help simplify your product for lay audiences.
—Jessica Wong, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lay 
Noun
These courts, which sat every week under trees and in village courtyards across Rwanda, heard more than one million cases and were overseen by lay judges who could hand down sentences as severe as life imprisonment (although most consisted merely of community service).
—Phil Clark, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2017
Whether viewed as a romp, a relic, or a route to commiseration, the series about four friends trying to find love (or at least a good lay) in the world’s most competitive concrete jungle has stood the test of time.
—John Ortved, Vogue, 29 June 2024
Adjective
The best choice would be someone the public and media can relate to, possibly someone on the church leadership team who is a lay leader.
—Joseph Marchelewski, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024
Popular tech bloggers can help simplify your product for lay audiences.
—Jessica Wong, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay
Verb
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Aggressively low prices, rapid turnaround times, and unpredictable production schedules can put substantial financial strain on suppliers.Áine Clarke, Sourcing Journal, 18 Dec. 2024
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The refusal to vacate has put the county in untested legal waters.Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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So in Toledo in 2015, Mohammed settled into a group house with some American roommates just out of college who took him under their wing and called him Moh.John Ketchum, NPR, 29 Dec. 2024
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The family later settled in Dundalk on Liberty Parkway.Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 28 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Kansas imposed a proof-of-citizenship requirement more than a decade ago that grew into one of the biggest political fiascos in the state in recent memory.John Hanna, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024
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The play’s supernatural subtext was always a cheap theatrical gimmick, unconvincing and unworthy of Wilson’s seriousness about black Americans escaping imposed Christianity and developing their own skepticism.Armond White, National Review, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Real estate agent Peter Klaven (Rudd) has just proposed to his fiancée, Zooey (Rashida Jones), but can’t possibly prepare for his wedding without having a best man.Elise Taylor, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024
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As millions of Americans prepare for Christmas travel, winter weather is expected to create chaos on the roads and in the skies.Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Scientists believe it may be spread by people releasing sick pet tortoises into the wild, Henen said.Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
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If the Communists won — if their revolution spread across the world, leaving nothing behind but misery and death — then the last best hope of Earth would vanish.Matthew Continetti, National Review, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
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However, some of what makes venture work is the fact that someone is literally betting their career on going the distance with an idea.Sachin H. Jain, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
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Joao Fonseca is ready to bet on himself Also look out for Alexander Blockx of Belgium, Elmer Moller of Denmark, Martin Landaluce of Spain and Francesco Passaro of Italy as candidates for pushing into the fabled top 100 and making some moves at smaller events through qualifying.Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The list goes on, but one thing these social media sensations appear to have in common is that people seem to like to ascribe humanlike traits and emotions to them.Chad de Guzman, TIME, 27 Dec. 2024
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While some of them are ascribed medicinal benefits, more research is needed to evaluate their effects.Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In that case, the most prudent thing to do might be to dig a hole in the ground and bury your money there.Matthew Scogin, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
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Too often, any follow-up stories are buried along with the victims.Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 20 Dec. 2024
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Thesaurus Entries Near lay
Cite this Entry
“Lay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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