LAY OFF (OF) Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

lay off (of)

verb

Definition of lay off (of)

as in to abandon

to stop doing (something) permanently we warned him to lay off of the cigarette smoking

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay off (of)

Verb

First, Verbruggen baits Joao Pedro, who abandons Olivier Boscagli.

— Jon Mackenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Abandoning guidance in the middle of a crisis gets a pass that abandoning it on a clear day might not.

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of abandon

Verb

Earnest may modify or discontinue this offer at any time and without notice, however, once a Loyalty Discount is earned, it will not be taken away.

— Maya Benjamin,Dan Avery, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Junior varsity programs at lots of high schools have been discontinued for lack of players.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of discontinue

Verb

Craig, now a devoted granddad with a dry sense of humor, began working alongside his father at thirteen, quitting school even though teachers warned him that house moving was a dying trade.

— Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026
Hep Spyder blamed Dwight for Buffo Carducci’s quitting on him back when Dwight was Hep’s tent boss.

— Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of quit

Verb

The informant cut a deal with prosecutors to record Vaughn and testify against him in exchange for drug charges against him being dropped.

— Brett Barrouquere, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026
Recent drone deliveries have not been flawless — a video spread across the internet earlier this month after an Amazon drone dropped a Texas customer’s package into her swimming pool.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of drop

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.

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lay off

lay off (of)

layoffs

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“Lay off (of).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20off%20%28of%29. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of lay off (of)

verb

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