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Definitions

lay

[ley] / leɪ /
ADJECTIVE
amateur, not trained in a religious or other profession
Synonyms
STRONGEST
secular
STRONG
ordinary temporal
WEAK
inexpert nonclerical nonprofessional nonspecialist unsacred
Antonyms
WEAK
ordained professional
VERB
put, place
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arrange establish leave locate plant set settle spread stick
STRONG
deposit dispose fix order organize posit position repose rest systematize
WEAK
set down set out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
displace move remove
WEAK
lift
VERB
produce, advance
Synonyms
STRONGEST
offer
STRONG
adduce allege bear cite deposit generate lodge present submit yield
WEAK
bring forth bring forward put forward
Antonyms
STRONG
deny take withhold
VERB
credit, allocate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
apply cast impose train turn
STRONG
accredit address aim allot ascribe assess assign attribute burden charge direct encumber impute incline level point refer tax
WEAK
zero in
Antonyms
STRONG
keep
WEAK
take
VERB
design, plan
Synonyms
STRONGEST
prepare
STRONG
concoct contrive devise hatch plot
WEAK
work out
VERB
make smooth
Synonyms
STRONG
allay alleviate appease assuage calm even flatten flush iron level plane press quiet relieve steam still suppress
Antonyms
STRONG
aggravate agitate break intensify irritate provoke upset worry
WEAK
lift neglect rough take
VERB
bet, wager
Synonyms
STRONGEST
play
STRONG
gamble game hazard risk stake
WEAK
give odds
NOUN
a song or poem
Synonyms
STRONGEST
melody poem song tune
WEAK
carol hymn strain

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.

But the principle — lay the groundwork, then count on timing and good fortune — could apply here.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

In February, the company said it would lay off 12% of its workforce, which it said would save around $500 million annually.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

Before boarding the plane for Islamabad Friday, Vance paused to lay out expectations for the coming talks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

When asked what lay in store for the Masters gnome Augusta chairman Fred Ridley was coy in his response.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

But over everything lay the shadow: not only the illness, but her whole disgruntled and disappointed life.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Vocabulary lists containing lay

Poetry: Genres

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Commonly Confused Words, List 1

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Reading: Literature - Poetry - High School

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