LAY Synonyms: 399 Similar and Opposite Words

lay 1 of 4

verb

ˈlā

Definition of lay next

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

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as in to settle

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

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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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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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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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as in to bet

to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event I'll lay five dollars that you can't do it

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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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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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lay

2 of 4

noun (1)

ˈlā

as in melody

a rhythmic series of musical tones arranged to give a pleasing effect the minstrel strummed a cheerful lay on his lute

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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

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lay

3 of 4

noun (2)

ˈlā

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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lay

4 of 4

adjective

as in laic

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Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of 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 book is insightful, clearly written, well informed, free of legal jargon, and accessible to a lay audience as well as informative to lawyers, judges, and law professors. —

Richard A. Posner, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2015 The Legislature passed the measure idly as a meaningless gift to its drafter, John W. Butler, a lay preacher who hadn’t passed any other bill. —

Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for lay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay

Verb

Mike slowly starts to earn the respect of his much younger teammates, ultimately leading him on a journey to address his masculinity and resolve his generational trauma put upon by his father, while also addressing his strained relationship with his son.

Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
Rather than addressing these critical issues with real change to their algorithms and design features, Snap continues to put profits over protecting children.

Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 22 Nov. 2024