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
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Recent Examples of waylay
Linebacker Matt Milano delivered three quarterback hits, waylaid receiver Rashod Bateman on a third-down play to force a field goal and deflected Jackson’s pass on a two-point conversion attempt to tight end Isaiah Likely late in the third quarter.
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Tim Graham, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
As his teammates thrived, Mitchell was waylaid by illness against the Thunder, shooting only 3-16.
—Sam Allard, Axios, 15 Jan. 2025
But on his way to his second career, he was waylaid by an unexpected illness.
—Susan Young, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024
Chicago City Council approved the mega development featuring new housing, retail and park space back in 2019, but it was waylaid by the pandemic-era economy that saw costs jump.
—Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for waylay 
Tim Graham, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
As his teammates thrived, Mitchell was waylaid by illness against the Thunder, shooting only 3-16.
—Sam Allard, Axios, 15 Jan. 2025
But on his way to his second career, he was waylaid by an unexpected illness.
—Susan Young, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024
Chicago City Council approved the mega development featuring new housing, retail and park space back in 2019, but it was waylaid by the pandemic-era economy that saw costs jump.
—Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for waylay
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Cite this Entry
“Waylay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waylay. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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