waylay

Catch off guard

To waylay is to ambush or intercept someone, typically to attack, rob, or delay them: Bandits waylaid travelers on the mountain road.

The word suggests lying in wait along someone's path.

Figuratively, it means to stop someone unexpectedly, often to make demands on their time: She was waylaid by reporters outside the courthouse.

ambush

ambuscade

Concealed attack position

bushwhackSurprise attack from cover
trapDevice for catching animals
surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment

lurk · hide · pounce · stalk · concealment · camouflage · snare · entrapment · decoy · lying in wait

intercept

block

Solid mass, or impede

stopCease all motion
haltComplete sudden stop
seizeTake suddenly, forcibly

capture · grab · nab · snatch · apprehend · detain · arrest · catch · obstruct · cut off

accost

approach

Way of handling something

confrontFace squarely, address directly
buttonholeFastening slit or detain
cornerMeeting point of edges

importune · harass · bother · pester · badger · hound · solicit · demand · question · challenge

Categories

seizinggrab, seize, grasp, clutch, snatch
stunstun, daze, shock, stupefy, stagger
sudden thingssuddenly, abruptly, unexpectedly, instantly, spontaneous
Surprise reactionsshock, gasp, startle, flinch, jump
meeting actionsmeet, encounter, greet, approach, run into

Opposites

ambush/interception vs. open approach

waylaygreet

Acknowledge upon meeting

obstruction vs. facilitation

Onward in direction

clear the way · facilitate · enable · expedite · usher

hostile interception vs. protective allowance

waylaypermit

Official written authorization

allow · release · free · safeguard · protect

Family

waylaid, waylaying, waylays

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG