astray

adverb or adjective

\ ə-ˈstrā

How to pronounce astray (audio)

\

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

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms & Antonyms for astray

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples of astray in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The pastor of a Roman Catholic church in Wisconsin has been leading his flock astray by urging them to shun the Covid-19 vaccine. — Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, "Wisconsin Catholic priest warns congregants against Covid vaccine, defying pope and his bishop," 28 Apr. 2021 The intention was to prevent pious Muslims from being confused and then led astray by non-Muslim texts. — The Economist, "In the name of God Malaysians are fighting one another over the word “Allah”," 31 Mar. 2021 Possessed of a kind of fatal optimism, as Mr. Campbell described it, Mr. Khan first went astray in the early 1990s. — New York Times, "Derek Khan, Onetime Stylist for Hip-Hop Stars, Dies at 63," 28 Feb. 2021 Perhaps tired, perhaps led astray by a government that wanted to believe the pandemic did not exist, much of the country fell into a collective delusion. — Gregory Barber, Wired, "How Many Microcovids Would You Spend on a Burrito?," 12 Jan. 2021 The results may be misconstrued or consumers may be led astray. — Abba Krieger, Quartz, "How to think critically about polls and rankings," 8 Dec. 2020 After multiplying its share price 12-fold from 1995 to 2015, CVS went astray by paying $12.7 billion for Omnicare, a provider of drugs to nursing homes that's fared poorly since, then way overpaid on its $70 billion purchase of Aetna. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, "Meet the new highest-ranking female CEO in the Fortune 500," 7 Nov. 2020 Those filings tell the story of a military veteran who wished to fly his country’s flag but went astray in the tightly restricted world of a homeowners association, which controls everything from home decor to pets to shrubbery. — John Reinan, Star Tribune, "Minnesota Navy veteran could lose his home in dispute over a flagpole," 15 Sep. 2020 But even they might be led astray by historical determinism: the presupposition of outcomes that representative data in the present has yet to reveal. — Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, "The “Law and Order” Backlash Against Biden Was a Mirage," 4 Sep. 2020

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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about astray

Dictionary Entries near astray

Statistics for astray

Last Updated

9 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Astray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/astray. Accessed 17 May. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

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.

WORD OF THE DAY

divers

Listen to the pronunciation of divers

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Choose the best definition or synonym for the word in bold: "There are some eructations that sound like cheers—at least, mine did." Lolita

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Spell words. Make bears.

TAKE THE QUIZ