SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
waylay
verb
To intercept or detain someone unexpectedly.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
CHOOSE WITH CARE
A useful distinction
Alternatives apply to the displayed meaning. Related wording may differ in tone or grammar and is not always interchangeable.
To intercept or detain someone unexpectedly
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
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CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See waylay in use
A persistent admirer tried to waylay the speaker at the door.
They planned to waylay the messenger before he reached the station.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license