Thesaurus results for WAYLAYING

waylaying

verb

present participle of waylay

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

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of waylaying On this day, the Dream had the chance to go up three games to one in the best-of-seven series after waylaying the Valkyries in Games 2 and 3. — Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for waylaying

Verb

Researchers discovered that Aren had adapted his hunting techniques, relying on ambushing prey rather than stalking it as other leopards typically do.

— Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2026
The man accused of ambushing two Philadelphia police officers, killing one and wounding another, now faces federal charges.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of ambushing

Verb

Hawley said the majority of conflicts between humans and coyotes occurs when a pet owner tries to save their pet from an attacking coyote.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 2 Nov. 2026
Washington Examiner economics columnist Tiana Lowe Doescher slammed Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul el Sayed for refusing to denounce a controversial ad attacking Israel.

— Mackenzie Chase, The Washington Examiner, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of attacking

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waylay

waylaying

waylays

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“Waylaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waylaying. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of waylaying

verb

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