Thesaurus results for WAYLAY

waylay

verb

ˈwā-ˌlā

as in to ambush

to lie in wait for and attack by surprise a lonely stretch of highway along which unsuspecting tourists are often waylaid by gangs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 waylay These are the chapters that feature the merry trickster of the forest, Tom Bombadil, a classic fiddle-dee-dee-mischief type who waylays the hobbits at the onset of their quest. —

Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026 Thousands of passengers and crew were caught on vessels waylaid in ports in the UAE and Qatar. —

Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026 In season two, the pair head north to Darwin to help solve the murder of Eddie’s former partner but get waylaid investigating a murder in a remote river town of Barra Creek. —

David Faris, TheWeek, 4 Mar. 2026 The decision came back to haunt the Braves, who were waylaid by injuries and underperformance and ultimately saw their streak of postseason berths end at seven. —

Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for waylay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for waylay

Verb

When their convoy is brutally ambushed, they are left handcuffed together and, on the run, forcing her to put her life in his hands.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
Bobcats are big climbers who like to ambush their prey, Peters said.

— Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026