BELAYS Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

belays

verb

present tense third-person singular of belay

as in fastens

to attach (a rope) to something so that it is secure The climber belayed the rope.

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for belays

Verb

Unique to the mid-top is a metal hook that fastens its collar strap, replacing the plastic hook traditionally seen on the Air Force 1 Mid.

— Riley Jones, Footwear News, 16 Aug. 2026
My favorite detail is the red ribbon on Giovanna’s right shoulder, which fastens her sleeve to her dress and floats over the darkness.

— Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026

Definition of fastens

Verb

All of my essentials are packed in my Stowaway, which clips into my weekender as a bag organizer, and can clip out to be worn on its own as a crossbody when walking around during the day or as a clutch when going out in the evening.

— Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 16 July 2026
This compact tote folds into a small pouch that clips directly onto your keys and expands into a functional bag when needed.

— Corein Carter, Forbes.com, 29 May 2026

Definition of clips

Verb

For South Africa, which supplies more than 80% of the world’s platinum, the hydrogen bet ties its export earnings and job creation to Beijing’s industrial policy.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
That ties him with two other players for the most times having won that award.

— Jim Reineking, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of ties

Verb

Picture A’ja Wilson making the layup that clinches the gold medal for the United States at next month’s FIBA World Cup.

— Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
In a men’s semifinal match, Roger Federer outlasts Juan Martin del Potro in a 19-17 final set and clinches his first Olympic singles medal.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of clinches

Verb

As the comedy progresses, its buoyant tone clenches and darkens, and the plot bends and lurches, in ways that, to me, felt unnecessarily punitive toward both Haru and the audience.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2026
As the infection takes hold, a patient’s jaw clenches, forcing the face into what appears to be a wide smile, and the back muscles contort into a painful arch.

— Mustafa Fattah, NBC news, 24 Dec. 2025

Definition of clenches

Verb

Then, the unit bolts to the van, becoming a secure load that happens to contain a full living suite.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2026
When a company bolts AI on without building it into the way the company works, the company can end up paying a great deal of money for a capability its competitors already share.

— Mohamed Khater, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of bolts

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Browse Nearby Words

belaying

belays

belch

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“Belays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belays. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of belays

verb

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