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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of waylay
But those plans were waylaid by red tape from state liquor authorities and construction difficulties, according to Caulfield.
—
Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 16 June 2025
Suddenly, powerfully, Floyd was all of us, waylaid mid-pursuit of happiness, uncertain how to proceed.
—Laura Collins-Hughes, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Internal signals of illness may leave you waylaid and bedridden.
—Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
But unlike in the past, Byrne’s new movie never waylays you with a surprise narrative wrinkle or unexpected thematic depth.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for waylay
Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 16 June 2025
Suddenly, powerfully, Floyd was all of us, waylaid mid-pursuit of happiness, uncertain how to proceed.
—Laura Collins-Hughes, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Internal signals of illness may leave you waylaid and bedridden.
—Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
But unlike in the past, Byrne’s new movie never waylays you with a surprise narrative wrinkle or unexpected thematic depth.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for waylay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waylay
Verb
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Upon arrival, the alleged victim says he was ambushed by a group of men, including Wallace, who forcibly took him to a private room where Diddy was waiting.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
15 July 2025
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Milwaukee is mourning the loss of Officer Kendall Corder, who, along with partner Christopher McCray, was ambushed in an alleyway while responding to a report of suspect firing a gun.—
Jessica Van Egeren,
jsonline.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
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In June, a woman defaced a Pilsen mural at 16th Street and Ashland Avenue and was accused of attacking another woman who tried to stop her.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
22 July 2025
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Amorim needs a mobile centre forward capable of attacking open space at speed and offering a threat in quick transition.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Waylay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waylay. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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