Synonyms of 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

• ambush
• attack
• capture
• assault
• surprise
• ambuscade
• assail
• trap
• tackle
• hunt
• entrap
• ensnare
• strike
• jump
• stalk
• sally
• snare
• storm
• pounce (on)
• charge
• net
• prey (on or upon)
• mug
• mousetrap

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of waylay

But that undertaking, primarily fueled by private dollars, has been waylaid due to getting a needed booster flight-qualified. — Leonard David, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2026

What had been perhaps Buxton’s finest overall season has been waylaid by a hip impingement that’s twice landed him on the IL and wrecked his production even when on the field since the start of July. — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Or the family might have simply gotten waylaid by other plans. — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 27 July 2026

Weighty debates about what constitutes the minimum could readily waylay the AI legislative endeavor. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026