as in to store
to put (something of future use or value) in a safe or secret place
the weather forecast warned of a severe storm, so we laid away a generous supply of bottled water and canned food just in case
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in installment plan
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lay away
Tom Hyland, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2021
Mac Schwerin, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2023
Retailers, for their part, created the layaway plan, which allowed consumers to reserve a product in return for a down payment, with further payments made throughout the year.
—Jay L. Zagorsky, The Conversation, 14 Dec. 2022
See all Example Sentences for lay away 
Verb
Yet, despite the tannins, Freisa is not a wine to lay away in most examples, but rather one that should be enjoyed early on, often chilled, with soups, seafood or lighter meats.
—Tom Hyland, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2021
Noun
Putting a banh mi on layaway—this is the world that buy-now, pay-later programs have wrought.
—Mac Schwerin, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2023
Retailers, for their part, created the layaway plan, which allowed consumers to reserve a product in return for a down payment, with further payments made throughout the year.
—Jay L. Zagorsky, The Conversation, 14 Dec. 2022
See all Example Sentences for lay away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay away
Verb
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Plus, the middle compartment is a handy spot to store other important items like concert tickets or sweet loves from your man.—
Taylor Jean Stephan,
People.com,
5 Feb. 2025
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Use a password manager to generate and store these securely.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In addition, Americans tend to purchase new phones via monthly installment plans through carriers and retailers rather than paying the full retail price up front.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN,
7 Feb. 2025
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In a social media thread, Ukrainian internal affairs adviser Anton Gerashchenko noted how Russia's Federal Tax Service (FTS) had filed claims against the mine of more than $2.24 million and that an installment plan for the payments was set up.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The agents, using K-9 dogs in their inspections, uncovered thousands of synthetic opioids stashed in the parcels.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2025
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Many grandmothers make their own and stash it in a vintage glass bottle, but store-bought is also a must-have in any Southern household.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The proof theatrically is that the production is a rapt and riotous collective with a long list credits all seemingly on the same wildly unpredictable page.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2025
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The governor and mayor wrestled for control and credit before and after the blockbuster event, with Pritzker and allies winning out in a tiff over host committee leadership, and the two claiming credit for the event’s success when worries about out-of-control protests did not come to pass.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The next photo was a close-up shot of a lion, basking in the sun while laying in the grass.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
1 Feb. 2025
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Programmatic: From Finite To Infinite Possibilities The groundwork laid in 2024—transparency, private marketplaces deals, AI, and a cookieless future—sets the stage for smarter, more impactful experiences.—
Dani Nadel,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Benedict sawmill is laid up due to the weather.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2025
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The vote will be far from a lay up for the affable Louisiana conservative, even with the endorsement of President-elect Trump, the party’s undisputed leader.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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When the smoke cleared, leaving stains on the green that didn’t affect their shots, Scheffler, who missed birdie puts by inches on 16 and 17, came up an inch short again on his 26-footer.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
23 June 2024
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Truman answers the questions put by Pearl’s diners.—
Liz Smith,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2024
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Thesaurus Entries Near lay away
Cite this Entry
“Lay away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20away. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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