1
as in puts
to arrange something in a certain spot or position
just lay the book over there on the table for now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in imposes
to establish or apply as a charge or penalty
state officials tried to lay a tax on merchandise sold over the Internet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in prepares
to make ready in advance
she's laying plans for the charity auction months ahead of time
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in applies
to put a layer of on a surface
the mason laid mortar over the first row of bricks before starting the second
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
7
as in ascribes
to explain (something) as being the result of something else
an electrical fire that was laid to faulty wiring
Synonyms & Similar Words
8
as in buries
to place (a dead body) in the earth, a tomb, or the sea
lay the corpse to rest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in ballads
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 works
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of lays
FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
The legislation lays the groundwork for roughly $70 billion in funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 23 Apr. 2026
Also today, Deutsche Telekom’s CEO lays the groundwork for a career-defining deal.
—Liana Baker, Bloomberg, 23 Apr. 2026
What emerges is an intimate, cinematic process that lays bare the musician’s deep connections and inspirations in Tribeca alum Josh Alexander’s moving music documentary.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
This straightforward set-up lays the groundwork for a moving, and often anxiety-inducing, investigation of language, empathy, and miscommunication.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
In bouncer mode, your baby will be secure in a harness that automatically retracts once the bassinet lays flat.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 7 Apr. 2026
Between Kelli giving Pinky the cold shoulder and the inescapable tension from ex-BFFs Porsha and Shamea, Porsha’s couple’s dinner lays the groundwork for drama to come while also tying up some loose strings from last season.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2026
Here, a light blue base lays underneath bright blue French tips.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 4 Apr. 2026
Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
While the 40-foot steeple of Crown Point’s oldest church lays toppled along Grant Street and East North Street, treasures found inside the 139-year-old church have found their way into new light.
—Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
Continue reading … POLITICS MAPS AND MAYHEM — Virginia’s redistricting war lays bare state's sharp partisan turn as legal fight looms.
—FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
The legislation lays the groundwork for roughly $70 billion in funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 23 Apr. 2026
Also today, Deutsche Telekom’s CEO lays the groundwork for a career-defining deal.
—Liana Baker, Bloomberg, 23 Apr. 2026
What emerges is an intimate, cinematic process that lays bare the musician’s deep connections and inspirations in Tribeca alum Josh Alexander’s moving music documentary.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
This straightforward set-up lays the groundwork for a moving, and often anxiety-inducing, investigation of language, empathy, and miscommunication.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
In bouncer mode, your baby will be secure in a harness that automatically retracts once the bassinet lays flat.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 7 Apr. 2026
Between Kelli giving Pinky the cold shoulder and the inescapable tension from ex-BFFs Porsha and Shamea, Porsha’s couple’s dinner lays the groundwork for drama to come while also tying up some loose strings from last season.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2026
Here, a light blue base lays underneath bright blue French tips.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
Before us, in a curtain of matte black against the vibrant green, a beautiful, enormous silverback lays flopped on his back surrounded by eight gorillas of all ages wrestling around him.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
While the 40-foot steeple of Crown Point’s oldest church lays toppled along Grant Street and East North Street, treasures found inside the 139-year-old church have found their way into new light.
—Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lays
Verb
-
That puts the onus on Wallace, who is coming off season-ending shoulder surgery in December.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Twenty-six cars involved in that wreck, which puts it up there with one of the biggest ever.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Moon settles into your 4th House of Home, where honesty builds trust quickly.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Once the showers move out on Wednesday evening, drier weather settles in.—
Rachael Jay,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
State law imposes interest on late taxes at a rate of 18% per year.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
24 Apr. 2026
-
While society imposes rules and treats difference as a threat, David resists being shaped and stands for imagination and freedom.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After the bell, Apple reports as CEO Tim Cook prepares to step down .—
Alexa LoMonaco,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The incident comes as Washington prepares for the high-profile visit, with streets around the National Mall adorned with Union Jack.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The automatic discount also applies to all purchases made on the Free People app—no minimum purchase required.—
Hannah Chubb,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Even once the standard is set, the 2027 deadline applies to creating the rule, not putting the technology in cars right away.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The prediction market’s CEO, Tarek Mansour, told CNBC that bets on Bad Bunny’s first song alone exceeded $100 million in volume.—
Josephine Rozzelle,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
-
If a new account opens and immediately bets on a single player micro-market, that’s suspicious.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Brewer ascribes Starbucks’ success in Italy, where even the average person is a coffee connoisseur, to offering people, especially young people, a place to relax and enjoy a coffee.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
-
This breakup analysis ascribes no value to the companies being under the same corporate parent.—
Peter Cohan,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The story switches between the present day and 1990s Camden, at the height of Cool Britannia and begins in the sweltering summer of 1995 as a man buries a body during a violent storm.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The Placer County Water Agency has mapped out $295 million in projects that will upgrade infrastructure, such as rebuilding plants and rehabbing buries pipes, from the foothills to the freeway.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lays. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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