waylay
verb
way·lay
| \ ˈwā-ˌlā
\
\
waylaid\ ˈwā-ˌlād
\;
waylaying
\;
waylaying
Definition of waylay
: to lie in wait for or attack from ambush
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Synonyms for waylay
Synonyms
ambuscade, ambush, surprise (also surprize)
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Examples of waylay in a Sentence
Gangs sometimes waylay travelers on that road.
We were waylaid by a group of kids with water balloons.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Aggies were waylaid at Washington State by a 58-7 count, not even coming close to covering a 33-point number. — Joe Williams, USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire, "New Mexico State Aggies at Alabama Crimson Tide odds, picks and best bets," 4 Sep. 2019 The Ashes, traveling with a toddler, feared getting waylaid and stranded. — Sean P. Murphy, BostonGlobe.com, "A trip to Ireland balloons from $2,100 to nearly $17,000," 25 Aug. 2019 But then what was funny was that I actually got waylaid because that was when Cambridge Analytica got on my case. — Eric Johnson, Vox, "Journalist Carole Cadwalladr has a question for tech workers: Are you okay with your bosses enabling “techno-fascism?”," 8 July 2019 This has caused car makers to worry that the Trump revisions will get waylaid in court if California sues. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "California’s Backseat Drivers," 16 June 2019 In Bauer, Brooker created a clear embodiment of all Silicon Valley’s idealistic, hopeful futurism, waylaid by a culture of excess and personal hubris. — Aja Romano, Vox, "“Smithereens” takes aim at the tech dystopia we already live in but has nothing new to say.," 5 June 2019 Leading the revival, alongside Michael Cera and Lucas Hedges, is the 86-year-old Elaine May, playing an octogenarian gallerist waylaid by Alzheimer’s disease. — Marley Marius, Vogue, "Elaine May Is Back on Broadway, and Not a Moment Too Soon," 26 Oct. 2018 What might be done to waylay any further evidence of linkages? — Sean Illing, Vox, "What does Michael Cohen’s plea deal mean for Trump? I asked 9 legal experts.," 29 Nov. 2018 Mirroring the poll results, many prominent white evangelicals have spoken out in Kavanaugh’s defense, characterizing the allegations against him as part of a liberal plot to waylay his nomination. — Tara Isabella Burton, Vox, "Poll: 48% of white evangelicals would support Kavanaugh even if the allegations against him were true," 27 Sep. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'waylay.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for waylay
waylay
verb
English Language Learners Definition of waylay
: to stop (someone who is going somewhere)
: to attack (someone or something) by surprise from a hidden place
See the full definition for waylay in the English Language Learners Dictionary
waylay
verb
way·lay
| \ ˈwā-ˌlā
\
\
waylaid\ -ˌlād \;
waylaying
Kids Definition of waylay
: to attack from hiding
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