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
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Apr. 2026
Empty out cabinets and drawers and set these items aside in an out-of-the-way area.
—Lauren Wellbank, Martha Stewart, 24 Apr. 2026
The fun starts when Ben turns up soon after her pack is stolen and insists on offering her replacement gear and breakfast at his out-of-the-way campsite.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
While major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto are on every itinerary, the country offers hidden gems, out-of-the-way experiences, and relatively unknown places to explore.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for out-of-the-way
Adjective
Try them out on an out-of-the-way spot first.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Apr. 2026
Empty out cabinets and drawers and set these items aside in an out-of-the-way area.
—Lauren Wellbank, Martha Stewart, 24 Apr. 2026
The fun starts when Ben turns up soon after her pack is stolen and insists on offering her replacement gear and breakfast at his out-of-the-way campsite.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
While major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto are on every itinerary, the country offers hidden gems, out-of-the-way experiences, and relatively unknown places to explore.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for out-of-the-way
Recent Examples of Synonyms for out-of-the-way
Adjective
-
Weird neighbors and increasingly bizarre diversions plague every attempt Nameless Hero makes to get down the stairs of his building to the man who’s standing outside.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
14 June 2026
-
And in a bizarre twist, a criminal investigation has been opened after three dogs were found dead at the travel trailer where mauling victim Jodi Cowan was living at the time of the fatal attack.—
Natasha Holt,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
French authorities said unusual betting patterns were detected around a yellow card Wahi received in a Ligue 1 match while playing for Nice last month.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
-
The bar can do classic and pretty, strong and aromatic, familiar and unusual in the same round.—
Noel Burgess,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Truth is stranger than fiction.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
17 June 2026
-
As Photay, Shornstein—a master synthesist and producer—flits between atmospheric house, dubby breakbeat workouts, and chirping electro funk, building his songs’ arrangements into strange, angular shapes.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
According to the National Cancer Institute, SEF is so uncommon that there is limited data available about treatment for the disease as well as how many people have it.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
13 June 2026
-
Turns out, being conflated with the characters one plays is not uncommon, at least for the TV stars gathered at THR‘s Drama Actors Emmy Roundtable.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
There’s been a weird weather quirk surrounding the national soccer teams that have made base camps in the Kansas City area.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
-
When the series went back to New York, things got weird.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
Other members of the cast contribute some sharp edges and moments that are legitimately funny.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
-
Someone’s losing their dignity, and that’s funny.—
Jesse David Fox,
Vulture,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
However, because cities still hold elections in odd years — where Democratic turnout is historically higher than in Republican-leaning suburbs and rural areas — the math could tip in the amendment’s favor.—
Jeffrey M. Wice,
New York Daily News,
16 June 2026
-
Immediately after alighting from its fanciful detour, Woods makes the odd decision to leave Emily’s perspective and lock into Sylvia’s.—
Natalia Winkelman,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
These Knicks will be remembered as champions and as the rare big-market team that became easy to root for.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Even better, almost all have balconies, which is rare in town.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 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 19 Jun. 2026.
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