astray

adverb or adjective \ ə-ˈstrā \

|Updated on: 20 Jun 2018

Definition of astray

1 : off the right path or route : straying

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

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Recent Examples of astray from the Web

Unnecessary throws, ground balls that rolled under gloves and pickoffs that went astray, hindered the work of the pitchers.

— robert avery, Houston Chronicle, "Scrimmage tells Mustang all-stars the real deal is nearing," 6 June 2018
The average number of opioid pills per patient also dropped—an important change because unused pills often go astray.

— claudia wallis, Scientific American, "Why We Won’t Miss Opioids," 1 June 2018
But with the way Juventus started the night, Real’s march toward history nearly went astray.

— joshua robinson, WSJ, "Zinedine Zidane Steps Down as Real Madrid Manager," 31 May 2018
One bullet went through the truck's roof and the other went astray, investigators said.

— maxine bernstein, OregonLive.com, "Ruling expected in 2 weeks on forensic experts in case of indicted FBI agent," 25 May 2018
One bullet went through the truck's roof and the other went astray, investigators said.

— maxine bernstein, OregonLive.com, "Lawyers for indicted FBI agent claim government expert's analysis based on errors in math," 11 May 2018
Hossenfelder shows us exactly how beauty and naturalness have lead us astray.

— chris lee, Ars Technica, "Lost in Math," 29 Apr. 2018
We’ve been led astray by too-good-to-be-true deals before; Cheap beauty boxes mean cheap products, right?

— lindsey v thompson, Allure, "Walmart Launches $10 Beauty Boxes Filled With Its Best-Selling Makeup and Hair Products," 27 Apr. 2018
Studies of fish oil also may have led researchers astray.

— liz szabo, chicagotribune.com, "Older Americans are hooked on vitamins despite scarce evidence they work," 6 Apr. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of astray

Middle English, from Anglo-French estraié wandering, from estraier to stray — more at stray

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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astray Synonyms

ASTRAY Defined for English Language Learners

astray

adverb

Definition of astray for English Language Learners

: off the right path or route
: away from what is right, good, or desirable

ASTRAY Defined for Kids

astray

adverb or adjective \ ə-ˈstrā \

Definition of astray for Students

1 : off the right path or route

Our rocket went astray after liftoff.

2 : in or into error

Their plans have gone astray.

Learn More about astray

See words that rhyme with astray Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for astray Spanish Central: Translation of astray Nglish: Translation of astray for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of astray for Arabic speakers

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astray

Definition of astray

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ASTRAY Defined for English Language Learners

astray

Definition of astray for English Language Learners

ASTRAY Defined for Kids

astray

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