astray

adverb or adjective

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\ ə-ˈstrā

Definition of astray

1 : off the right path or route : straying

2 : in error : away from what is proper or desirable

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about astray

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Examples of astray in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But while Kepler was initially led astray by his preference for exceptional objects, Isaac Newton would go on to explain the planets’ elliptical orbits based on his universal theory of gravity. — Quanta Magazine, "The Two Forms of Mathematical Beauty," 16 June 2020 The story was no longer about women who were or weren’t forced into brothels, but which reporters ought to be believed—the Timesman or those muckrakers who lead their readers astray. — Melissa Gira Grant, The New Republic, "Ronan Farrow Is Not a “Resistance” Journalist," 19 May 2020 One crisis led us astray; this one can lead us to a smarter future. — Richard Stengel, Time, "The Coronavirus Pandemic Can Lead Us to a Smarter Future. Let's Make Sure It Does.," 13 Apr. 2020 But that seamless control will also lead you astray. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "Real learning in a virtual classroom is difficult," 28 Mar. 2020 The veteran German soprano Anja Kampe blazed intermittently in the role of Senta; although some top notes went astray, her Act II ballad was cannily plotted and urgently delivered. — Alex Ross, The New Yorker, "Valery Gergiev Weighs Down the Met’s New “Flying Dutchman”," 16 Mar. 2020 In both cases, the investigation was carried out professionally, but then things went badly astray. — John Cassidy, The New Yorker, "Trump’s Inevitable Acquittal and the Threat to American Democracy," 1 Feb. 2020 Plans might change at the last minute or messages could go astray. — oregonlive, "Horoscope for Jan. 15, 2020: Gemini, be mentally alert; Libra, time for some thrill-seeking," 15 Jan. 2020 If the composition of postal voters is different from 2017, when 21.6% of voters submitted their ballots by mail, that could lead the exit poll astray. — The Economist, "Britain’s exit poll has an exceptional record," 11 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'astray.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

25 Jun 2020

Cite this Entry

“Astray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/astray. Accessed 7 Aug. 2020.

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More Definitions for astray

astray

adverb

English Language Learners Definition of astray

: off the right path or route

: away from what is right, good, or desirable

See the full definition for astray in the English Language Learners Dictionary

astray

adverb or adjective

\ ə-ˈstrā

Kids Definition of astray

1 : off the right path or route Our rocket went astray after liftoff.

2 : in or into error Their plans have gone astray.

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astray

Definition of astray

Synonyms & Antonyms for astray

Examples of astray in a Sentence

First Known Use of astray

History and Etymology for astray

Learn More about astray

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English Language Learners Definition of astray