waylays
Attacks from hiding
Waylays is the third-person singular present tense of waylay, meaning to stop or accost someone unexpectedly, typically to rob, attack, or intercept them.
The word suggests lying in wait along a route to ambush a traveler or to catch someone by surprise.
The bandit waylays merchants on the forest road.
In less sinister contexts, it can mean simply to stop someone for conversation or questions: My neighbor always waylays me when I'm trying to get to work.
Hidden surprise attacks
- interceptsStops and captures mid-route
- accostsApproaches someone uninvited
- surprisesUnanticipated occurrences
- attacksAggressive hostile actions
bushwhacks · lurks · pounces · traps · corners · catches · jumps · assails
Approaches someone uninvited
- buttonholesSlits for disc fasteners
- interceptsStops and captures mid-route
- cornersWhere edges converge
- stopsCeases to continue
detains · delays · sidetracks · distracts · halts · impedes · obstructs · hinders
Throws off course
- sabotagesDeliberately undermines or destroys
- thwartsFrustrates or blocks
- underminesWeakens by stealth
- disruptsInterferes with normal operation
obstructs · impedes · hinders · stymies · blocks · foils · frustrates · sidetracks
ambushes
Hidden surprise attacks
- interceptsStops and captures mid-route
- accostsApproaches someone uninvited
- surprisesUnanticipated occurrences
attacks · bushwhacks · lurks · pounces · traps · corners · catches · jumps · assails · assaults
accosts
Approaches someone uninvited
- buttonholesSlits for disc fasteners
- interceptsStops and captures mid-route
- cornersWhere edges converge
stops · detains · delays · sidetracks · distracts · halts · impedes · obstructs · hinders · blocks
derails
Throws off course
- sabotagesDeliberately undermines or destroys
- thwartsFrustrates or blocks
- underminesWeakens by stealth
disrupts · obstructs · impedes · hinders · stymies · blocks · foils · frustrates · sidetracks · interrupts