out-of-the-way 1 of 2

adjective

ˌau̇t-ə(v)-t͟hə-ˈwā How to pronounce out-of-the-way (audio)
Definition of out-of-the-waynext
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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

out of the way

2 of 2

phrase

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.

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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.

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of out-of-the-way
Adjective
Such fires are a constant threat in the sawmill industry, which continuously produces fine dust that is highly flammable; fires often start inside machines or in out-of-the-way corners and can get out of control before they’re even detected. — David Prosser, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026 But flight routes to out-of-the-way areas are often money losers for airlines, since passenger demand can be low and erratic. — Sacha Pfeiffer, NPR, 12 May 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 See All Example Sentences for out-of-the-way
Recent Examples of Synonyms for out-of-the-way
  1. bizarre
  2. unusual
  3. strange
  4. uncommon
  5. weird
  6. funny
  7. odd
  8. rare
Adjective
  • Whatever ends up coming for Alpha, with their TV fragmented into a billion tiny screens, it’s bound to be bizarre.
    — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Former Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader's San Francisco Giants season has ended prematurely due to a bizarre scooter accident.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • Ultimately, both sides are jockeying for power after the war, given the unusual uncertainty brought on by the change in the supreme leadership.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Some reported magnetic order, unusual Hall effects, and efficient spin-charge conversion, while others found no evidence of magnetism in bulk crystals or relaxed thin films.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of unusual
Adjective
  • That strange sense of incompletion hung over the Detroit Tigers’ clubhouse Saturday night.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Having collaborated with his parents since the late 1980s, Berenstain was no stranger to furthering the family legacy.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of strange
Adjective
  • Severe deficiency is uncommon, but nutrition experts say chronically low intake can signal a dietary gap worth addressing.
    — Lauren Manaker MS, Health, 31 July 2026
  • Cases of rabies in pets, such as horses, dogs and cats, are uncommon because many pet owners vaccinate their animals against rabies, according to the California Department of Public Health.
    — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 31 July 2026
Definition of uncommon
Adjective
  • Chip Honcho seems unlikely to be enormously loved by the track money, but weirder things have happened.
    — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • This is a problem with anything that gets into that weird private equity, conglomerate zone.
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026
Definition of weird
Adjective
  • Gu-cheon is arrogant, conspicuously misplaced in the palace hierarchy, and in some sneaky ways, dryly funny, in stark contrast to co-star Roh Yoon Seo’s more determined, earnest portrayal of court lady Saeng Gang.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • That ethos bled into the script read, which saw the crew assembled take swings with the material and inject a bit more comedy into the already funny original film.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 29 July 2026
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • Couples from Copenhagen enjoying a sunny weekend away, as well as the odd tourist.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
  • When the leagues decided to increase inter-league play, Houston moved because the odd-team out problem was no longer valid.
    — Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of odd
Adjective
  • The Kansas City Royals began Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins with a pair of rare occurrences.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • Trinitite contains a novel, cagelike clathrate crystal and quasicrystals, rare materials, once thought impossible, that contain nonrepeating atomic structures.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 29 July 2026
Definition of rare

Browse Nearby Words

out of sorts
out-of-the-way
out of the way
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Cite this Entry

“Out-of-the-way.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/out-of-the-way. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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