Definitions

lain

[leyn] / leɪn /

VERB

tell an untruth

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deceive mislead misrepresent promote

STRONG

BS beguile bull con concoct delude dissemble dissimulate distort dupe equivocate exaggerate fabricate fake falsify fib forswear frame fudge invent malign misguide misinform misspeak misstate overdraw palter perjure pervert phony plant prevaricate snow soft-soap victimize

WEAK

be untruthful bear false witness break promise go back on make believe misinstruct put on put up a front string along

Antonyms

STRONG

be honest destroy tell truth

WEAK

be upright stand straighten

VERB

be prostrate, flat

Synonyms

STRONGEST

lie down rest sleep sprawl

STRONG

couch laze loll lounge nap recline repose retire siesta

WEAK

be prone be recumbent be supine go to bed stretch out turn in

Antonyms

WEAK

be honest be upright stand straighten

VERB

be situated

Synonyms

STRONGEST

belong exist prevail remain spread stretch

STRONG

be beset extend occupy reach

WEAK

be beside be buried be established be even be fixed be found be interred be level be located be on be placed be seated be smooth have its seat in

Antonyms

STRONGEST

compress

WEAK

be honest be upright stand straighten

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Starmer will arrive with an entourage of industry executives hoping to promote British business through a UK-China CEO Council, a body that has lain dormant for years.

From Barron's • Jan. 27, 2026

Someone close to us had died along the shoulder of a highway and had lain unnamed for more than 40 years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

And yet they had "lain undiscovered for some time" in their home in Radford, Nottingham, last May.

From BBC • Jul. 26, 2025

St. Nicholas’ body had lain under the floor of their church for 700 years.

From Slate • Dec. 15, 2024

The electric clock on the wall had whirred, for a very long time, and Kingshaw had just lain there.

From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill