Waylay

To Waylay means to stop or interrupt someone or something unexpectedly and, often, aggressively. This typically involves lying in wait to ambush or intercept a person or a group. It suggests a deliberate action with a malicious intent, whether for robbery, attack, or intimidation. Waylaying can occur in physical spaces, like a dark alley, or metaphorically, like a sudden barrage of questions. The action implies a degree of surprise and potential threat, intended to catch the target off guard and disrupt their course or actions. It's an active verb often associated with negative connotations, emphasizing an element of unwanted intervention.

Waylay meaning with examples

• The bandits planned to Waylay the travelers as they passed through the narrow mountain pass, hoping to steal their valuables. They hid amongst the rocks, anticipating their prey's arrival. The unsuspecting group was easily ambushed and quickly surrendered their possessions, falling victim to the bandit's well-planned surprise attack.
• Detectives set up surveillance to Waylay the suspected drug dealers when they arrived at the rendezvous point. The police planned their interception carefully. As the exchange took place, officers moved in, catching the criminals completely off guard, leading to multiple arrests and the seizure of a significant amount of illicit substances.
• The aggressive reporter attempted to Waylay the celebrity outside the event, bombarding him with personal questions. The journalist's unexpected interruption forced the star to abruptly halt and respond. The tactic, designed to capture a headline-grabbing response, violated the star's privacy and created an uncomfortable encounter.
• The political opponent decided to Waylay his rival with accusations during the televised debate. The politician planned to use the information during an ambush. He intended to disrupt his opponent’s speech with carefully timed attacks. This interruption hoped to undermine the credibility of the other candidate and sway the audience's perceptions.
• During the software development cycle, frequent performance bottlenecks would often Waylay our progress and release. The unexpected problems stalled the entire process. Engineers worked diligently to isolate the causes of these interruptions and make necessary adjustments to mitigate the impact of the delays and to prevent it in the future.