1
as in putting
to arrange something in a certain spot or position
just lay the book over there on the table for now
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2
as in settling
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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3
as in imposing
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 preparing
to make ready in advance
she's laying plans for the charity auction months ahead of time
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5
as in spreading
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
as in betting
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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7
as in attributing
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 burying
to place (a dead body) in the earth, a tomb, or the sea
lay the corpse to rest
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of laying
Off the ice, Pulford was the first president of the players union, taking part in early collective bargaining and laying the foundation for the modern NHLPA.
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Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
The family has been laying low except for a brief statement shared Saturday with E!
—Theresa Braine, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Off the ice, Pulford was the first president of the players union, taking part in early collective bargaining and laying the foundation for the modern NHLPA.
—Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
The family has been laying low except for a brief statement shared Saturday with E!
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026
Shake out your laundry when removing it from the washer before adding to the dryer or hanging or laying pieces flat to dry.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 2026
At the time, railroad companies received federal land grants in exchange for laying tracks.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2026
The Dolphins have been laying the groundwork for their GM search and the process will intensify next week, with interviews expected to begin shortly after the regular season ends on Sunday.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
Thailand accused Cambodia of laying fresh landmines following the removal of a barbed wire fence, which was discovered on November 9.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laying
Verb
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Lance Strait is one of hundreds of people whose car was damaged after putting gas at a King Soopers gas station in Parker earlier this week.—
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Or, Allen could solidify his elite status by putting the team on his back much the same way that Jags fan did with Lawrence at a bar.—
Verb
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That can include lowering interest rates, reducing monthly payments, extending repayment timelines or, in some cases, settling for less than the full amount owed.—
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The warmth also helps any contaminants drain out, rather than settling at the bottom of cold oil.—
Verb
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Iranian authorities have responded by deploying numerous security forces, imposing internet blackouts and enforcing curfews in some areas in an effort to suppress the unrest.—
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Originally constructed to be a shopping mall, the imposing structure now serves as the headquarters of Venezuela’s intelligence services and a notorious prison.—
Verb
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The Packers are preparing for a wild-card game Saturday night in Chicago.—
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Listen to Glaser discuss preparing to host the 2026 Golden Globes on Ripa's podcast episode above.—
Verb
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South Florida doctors are seeing more people with cough, fever and other flu-like symptoms as a rapidly spreading influenza strain circulates across the country this winter.—
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Rob became an executive producer of Lyrics From Lockdown and the show traveled across the country, spreading awareness of Williams’ story.—
Verb
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This week’s Club Sportico focuses on a series of sports betting investigations underway in college basketball, ones that could impact dozens of athletes at numerous D-I schools.—
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Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage.—
Verb
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What's really behind the baby bust The reasons Americans choose not to have children are hotly debated in academic circles, with many attributing America’s baby bust to shifting priorities and societal norms.—
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But attributing everything to the turnovers overlooks the fact that Michigan has thrown for fewer than 150 yards in back-to-back games against two of the worst teams in the Big Ten.—
Verb
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Junior midfielder Summer Diamond scored first for the Aggies (10-6-6), burying a goal in the bottom right corner off her left foot in the 49th minute.—
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After burying Helen, Carol arranges a meeting with the remaining unjoined survivors who speak English and is astonished to find that all five of them are content with how things have changed.—
Cite this Entry
“Laying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laying. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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