accost, ambuscade, assail, attack, box*, bushwhack, catch, hold up, jump, lay for, lie in wait, lurk, pounce on, prowl, set upon, skulk, slink, surprise, swoop down on
Thomas Welling was waylay by a swarm of admirers.Robbers prepared to waylay the travellers.Thomas was waylaid by his admirers.Robbers tried to waylay (ambush, intercept) the caravan.The caravan was waylaid.
kidnap detain
A rober waits to waylay the old Lady.
Thugs have been known to waylay freshmen in this breezeway.
Thugs often choose to waylay travelers as they wearily make their way back home.
Yes, waylay is a negative concept as it essentially means to 'ambush' someone.
to entrap or ensnare.
"Waylay" is generally considered a negative word, as it means to ambush or attack someone unexpectedly. It implies a sense of surprise and often involves an element of danger or hostility. While it can be used in a neutral context, such as waylaying someone for a conversation, the overall connotation leans toward the negative due to its association with ambush.
Negative
The past tense is waylaid.
Negative
waylaid waylay wayward