as in ambushing
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
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waylaying
Verb
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Arizona’s offense set the tone for the night by absolutely ambushing Ray, needing just six pitches to plate four runs.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026 -
Atletico’s path to the semifinals has been taking first-leg leads — ambushing Tottenham at home then winning at Barcelona — before riding out severe pressure in the return game.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Rather than attacking all rapidly growing cells, as chemotherapy does, the drug targets a key cancer-driving pathway known as KRAS, which is involved in more than 90% of pancreatic tumors.—
Luzdelia Caballero,
CBS News,
5 June 2026
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Akindahunsi is accused of attacking several women the night of May 28.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Waylaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waylaying. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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