as in streets
a narrow passage between buildings
One can spend days exploring all the alleys and backstreets of the old city.
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Recent Examples of alleys
That means an entertainment license wouldn’t be necessary anymore for bars that want to host trivia nights, for bowling alleys and for coffee shops that have an unamplified live performer.
—
Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
People may experience temporary travel impacts and delays at side streets, alleys, parking lots, and sidewalks when crews are working.
—Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Bethany takes the explosive event as a sign to reunite with her old girlfriend Nel (Lena Góra), and carouse across lofts, clubs, and back alleys, leaving her erstwhile partner stranded.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 Apr. 2026
In some buildings, the workers also clean, shovel snowy sidewalks and wrestle bins of refuse out of basements and alleys for pickup.
—ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
Most notably, Point Loma Heights and Azure Vista-adjacent Sunset Cliffs and Riviera Villas were large tracts with good-size lots, wide streets, alleys, smooth sidewalks and all utilities.
—Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
After that, Public Works will sweep more than 2,200 alleys.
—Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 8 Apr. 2026
Main lines usually run between poles along streets and alleys.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
The bazaar has plenty of goods, and the smell of hyacinths, a traditional Nowruz flower, permeates the narrow alleys, a visceral reminder of springtime in the city.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
People may experience temporary travel impacts and delays at side streets, alleys, parking lots, and sidewalks when crews are working.
—Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Bethany takes the explosive event as a sign to reunite with her old girlfriend Nel (Lena Góra), and carouse across lofts, clubs, and back alleys, leaving her erstwhile partner stranded.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 Apr. 2026
In some buildings, the workers also clean, shovel snowy sidewalks and wrestle bins of refuse out of basements and alleys for pickup.
—ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
Most notably, Point Loma Heights and Azure Vista-adjacent Sunset Cliffs and Riviera Villas were large tracts with good-size lots, wide streets, alleys, smooth sidewalks and all utilities.
—Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
After that, Public Works will sweep more than 2,200 alleys.
—Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 8 Apr. 2026
Main lines usually run between poles along streets and alleys.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
The bazaar has plenty of goods, and the smell of hyacinths, a traditional Nowruz flower, permeates the narrow alleys, a visceral reminder of springtime in the city.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alleys
Noun
-
First, there are the big-name athletes to find and woo into competing on the streets of the UK’s capital, then the pace-makers, the notable debutants, and the tantalising head-to-heads to create; there’s the hotel bookings, the visas, the flights, the prize money and even bonuses to ponder over.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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The mayor’s signature program was in Echo Park and Venice this week, bringing inside more than 40 Angelenos and clearing eight RVs and trailers off the streets.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Orlando’s annual Corporate 5K race returns to Lake Eola Park on Thursday, closing several roads in the city’s downtown.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
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In the spring, all is awash with green and swooped by swallows, and the many roads and hiking trails are beautifully edged with flowers.—
Helen Brown,
TheWeek,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Here's your daily look at traffic on major highways in the Kansas City area.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
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Expanding urbanization and the use of traditional lighting of buildings, highways and residential neighborhoods are blinding us to an eternal beauty.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alleys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alleys. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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