1
as in bizarre
different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion
the night watchman calls the police if he notices any out-of-the-way activity taking place during his shift
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unusual
noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced
there was nothing out-of-the-way about the hitchhiker's appearance that might arouse suspicion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
out of the way
2 of 2phrase
1
as in up
brought or having come to an end
Now that we've got the first step out of the way it's time to start phase two.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inappropriate
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation
They hoped he wouldn't say anything out of the way at the party.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of out-of-the-way
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2026
Floating alone where the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans meet, this island nation was long considered too out-of-the-way for travelers … until airlines like Icelandair started luring Americans with cheap flights to Europe that included a stopover in Iceland.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2026
His character is more maneuverable, and that creates situations where players can test out the traversal mechanics to grab an out-of-the-way power-up or switches that open inaccessible treasure chests.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2026
By 2019, Virginia photographer John Plashal caught wind of what was disintegrating on Hankins' out-of-the-way acres.
—Danielle Paquette The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for out-of-the-way
Adjective
Besides the occasional random spider that scuttles indoors, some spiders can live in out-of-the-way spots in your home, such as along ceilings or in basements and behind clutter.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2026
Floating alone where the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans meet, this island nation was long considered too out-of-the-way for travelers … until airlines like Icelandair started luring Americans with cheap flights to Europe that included a stopover in Iceland.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2026
His character is more maneuverable, and that creates situations where players can test out the traversal mechanics to grab an out-of-the-way power-up or switches that open inaccessible treasure chests.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2026
By 2019, Virginia photographer John Plashal caught wind of what was disintegrating on Hankins' out-of-the-way acres.
—Danielle Paquette The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for out-of-the-way
Recent Examples of Synonyms for out-of-the-way
Adjective
-
Upset over a bizarre technical foul in Game 2, Booker unloaded on the refs, particularly James Williams.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The New York Giants had a completely bizarre draft on Thursday – one that even left star wide receiver Malik Nabers visibly frustrated during his own simulcast with Green Bay Packers linebacker Micah Parsons.—
Ryan Gaydos OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Wednesday’s game, in particular, ended in extremely bizarre fashion with Xavier Edwards turning an unusual unassisted double play with the bases loaded and Freddie Freeman at the plate.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In an unusual development, the bank published a range of forecasts given the geopolitical uncertainties.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The truck had been at the head of a column of seven rescue vehicles, all of which had received clearance from the tower to cross Runway 4 at Taxiway D and head toward a United Airlines flight that was evacuating due to a strange odor onboard.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
On World Rhythms, Lockwood trusts the listener to hear the arc of its noises, to trace their emergence and disappearance, their strange, seductive confluence.—
Joshua Minsoo Kim,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Now, those stories are far more uncommon.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Power surges are not uncommon; that's why many homes and devices come equipped with surge protection to help protect your appliances and electronics.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Some weird ground balls, a bounce over (first baseman Gavin) Sheets’ head.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Cabdrivers sometimes call it the Hinckley Hilton—a weird local homage to the shooter, John Hinckley, Jr.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This would be much funnier if Rimura were, indeed, simply a slime.—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
1 May 2026
-
Just being more confident in my choice of what is funny and what’s not.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
With it, this is just kind of an odd, unfortunate (especially for the bird) story.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Business major Andrea Lui found the chatbot’s voice to be surprisingly human, but the conversation felt choppy with odd pauses.—
Jocelyn Gecker,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Earlier in the day, Charles delivered a rare address to a joint session of Congress, highlighting the second day of his four-day state visit and placing the spotlight on the strained but enduring relationship between his country and the United States.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Given the popularity of the show, particularly the fashion, style expert George Kotsiopoulos says being able to own an item that your favorite character wore or had in their home is a rare opportunity.—
Kailyn Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Out-of-the-way.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/out-of-the-way. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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