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
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Recent Examples of waylay
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
Illinois reeled off four straight wins going into the conference quarterfinals, before being waylaid by Maryland.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025
President Donald Trump’s massive bill package, dubbed the ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ contains a proposal that could significantly waylay a burgeoning movement to regulate artificial intelligence on the state level.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 28 May 2025
If you’re waylaid by a technical snag, email the smart people at cookingcare@nytimes.com for help.
—Melissa Clark, New York Times, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for waylay
Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
Illinois reeled off four straight wins going into the conference quarterfinals, before being waylaid by Maryland.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025
President Donald Trump’s massive bill package, dubbed the ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ contains a proposal that could significantly waylay a burgeoning movement to regulate artificial intelligence on the state level.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 28 May 2025
If you’re waylaid by a technical snag, email the smart people at cookingcare@nytimes.com for help.
—Melissa Clark, New York Times, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for waylay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waylay
Verb
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While many of us watched with horror as the death toll in Central Texas mounted after catastrophic floods, a group of people ambushed an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Alvarado.—
Dallas Morning News,
Twin Cities,
10 July 2025
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Sami Zayn Sami Zayn was ambushed by Karrion Kross during his entrance.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Verb
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But one cost of that strong-arm approach quickly became apparent when Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina announced his retirement right after after Trump attacked him for opposing the bill, creating an open seat that will become Democrats’ best Senate opportunity in 2026.—
Ronald Brownstein,
Twin Cities,
10 July 2025
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In 1940: The Battle of Britain began as German forces bombed shipping convoys in the English Channel, attacking its ports and radar stations.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Waylay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waylay. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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