waylayer
One who ambushes
A waylayer is someone who lies in wait to ambush or accost another person.
The word derives from waylay, meaning to stop someone unexpectedly along their path, often with hostile intent: The waylayers demanded the traveler's purse.
The term appears mostly in older or literary contexts.
One who attacks unexpectedly
- muggerOne who robs violently
- robberOne who steals by force
- highwaymanMounted thief targeting travelers
- banditArmed roadside thief
attacker · assailant · bushwhacker · footpad · brigand · thug · holdup · lurker
Aircraft that intercepts threats
- detainerWrit prolonging custody
- stopperClosure for an opening
- accostingConfrontational approach to stranger
- buttonholingDetaining for unwanted chat
confronter · blocker · obstructor · hinder · delay · catch · trap · snare
Something blocking the way
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
- distractionThing diverting one's attention
- temptationUrge toward the unwise
- setbackReverse in progress
derailment · interruption · saboteur · hindrance · disruption · snag · pitfall · stumbling block
ambusher
One who attacks unexpectedly
- muggerOne who robs violently
- robberOne who steals by force
- highwaymanMounted thief targeting travelers
bandit · attacker · assailant · bushwhacker · footpad · brigand · thug · holdup · lurker · predator
interceptor
Aircraft that intercepts threats
- detainerWrit prolonging custody
- stopperClosure for an opening
- accostingConfrontational approach to stranger
buttonholing · confronter · blocker · obstructor · hinder · delay · catch · trap · snare · waiting
obstacle
Something blocking the way
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
- distractionThing diverting one's attention
- temptationUrge toward the unwise
setback · derailment · interruption · saboteur · hindrance · disruption · snag · pitfall · stumbling block · delay