as in precedence
the right to one's attention before other things considered less important
the bill for emergency aid was immediately granted right-of-way
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Recent Examples of right-of-way
According to an i3 representative, the company has rights-of-way agreements with Libertyville, Wauconda, Lake Zurich, Vernon Hills, Warren Township, Grayslake, Antioch, Winthrop Harbor, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst, Cary — which is primarily in McHenry County — and Mundelein.
—
Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
The legislation adopted in 2024 permits jurisdictions to create areas where patrons can purchase an alcoholic drink from a brick-and-mortar business and consume that drink in the public right-of-way.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
Users must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians on a sidewalk and give an audible signal before passing a pedestrian.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
However, Caldwell city staff said the city already has funding and right-of-way secured for the utility extensions and can build them independently if the highway schedule slips.
—Noah Daly
april 15, Idaho Statesman, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for right-of-way
Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
The legislation adopted in 2024 permits jurisdictions to create areas where patrons can purchase an alcoholic drink from a brick-and-mortar business and consume that drink in the public right-of-way.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
Users must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians on a sidewalk and give an audible signal before passing a pedestrian.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
However, Caldwell city staff said the city already has funding and right-of-way secured for the utility extensions and can build them independently if the highway schedule slips.
—Noah Daly
april 15, Idaho Statesman, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for right-of-way
Recent Examples of Synonyms for right-of-way
Noun
-
Their identities as teammates take precedence over their individualities as complex human beings, for the greater good of the team.—
Candace Buckner,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
-
But our prime minister is someone for whom political survival consistently takes precedence over the good of the country.—
Avi Issacharoff,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
Meeting attendees asked whether the new survey will address specifics, such as city transit priority areas which allow for developments with little or no parking.—
Steven Mihailovich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2026
-
Economic resilience is becoming a top priority for cities facing workforce shifts, market volatility and industry disruption.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Right-of-way.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/right-of-way. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
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