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

Barbra Streisand was meant to show up to receive a honorary Palme d’Or, but was waylaid by a knee injury. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 23 May 2026

Ruff said on Sunday after the Sabres waylaid the Bruins 6-1 in Boston. — ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026

The Padres have gotten promising results from two reclamation projects in Walker Buehler and Germán Márquez, veterans who used to lead pitching staffs before Tommy John surgery waylaid them the past couple seasons. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026

Now Picard is zipping around the cosmos again, The Lord of the Rings is waylaid with prequels and spin-offs, and somehow, Palpatine returned. — Matthew Razak, Space.com, 13 Apr. 2026