The term "laid thick" implies an excessive amount of something. The antonyms for "laid thick" could be expressions like "sparely" or "scantily" to refer to a meager amount, or "lightly" and "sparingly" to indicate a smaller quantity of something. Similarly, the words "thinly" and "lightly" could be used to describe a layer or coating that is less dense or heavy, as opposed to something that is "laid thick." In contrast, "evenly" or "uniformly" could be used to describe a smooth or equal distribution of something, which may not necessarily be "laid thick." Using antonyms for "laid thick" can help diversify your vocabulary and convey more precise meanings.