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

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

But unlike Odysseus, who survives being waylaid by giants, sorceresses, nymphs, and numerous other distractions, Nolan himself becomes dragged down by the details of his Odyssey. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 15 July 2026