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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in installment plan
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
Let your schedule and meal plan be your guide to select the best way to store radishes.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Feb. 2025
-
At one point, 36 pounds of gold, purchased as an investment, was being stored on the grounds of Skyview Memorial.—
Richard Halstead,
The Mercury News,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Taxpayers often have opportunities to negotiate repayment arrangements or installment plans to avoid immediate refund loss.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Consumers can access Affirm’s biweekly and monthly installment plans and have the money automatically deducted from their checking account.—
MacKenzie Sigalos,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
People should have money stashed in a cash-equivalent account for any liquid needs, including an emergency fund and any potential big purchases coming up.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
7 Mar. 2025
-
One is stashing them loose in an unlined drawer, where they’re bound to get damaged or hurt someone.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appétit,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
There is a big psychological difference for donors between a 100% tax credit and a 70% credit, the experts said.—
Jeremy Kohler,
ProPublica,
5 Mar. 2025
-
There is no written anthology of their songs, nor does his name ever appear in credits as their author, but this thin, dogeared notebook is where his connection to his favorite singer is preserved.—
Jawad Rizkallah,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The eggs were laid in the nest overlooking Big Bear Lake.—
Helena Wegner,
Sacramento Bee,
20 Feb. 2025
-
The Highlanders took their biggest lead, seven points, with 6:32 left in the second quarter on a lay in by Devon Norice.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
At age 8, in Croatia, his sick father was temporarily laid up in bed.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 2025
-
The life cycle of a moth is 65 to 90 days, with female moths laying up to 300 eggs each.—
Ellie Pithers,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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.
Cite this Entry
“Lay away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20away. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share