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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 right-of-way
The law allows the department’s board to grant land along rivers that have moved through accretion to an adjacent landowner, as long as the owner agrees to keep it as a public right-of-way.
—
Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
The legislation bans the use of eminent domain for the construction, operation or acquirement of right-of-ways for any pipeline with the primary purpose of transporting carbon dioxide.
—Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 22 Jan. 2026
Miranda Levy proposed the $25 amount during this latest meeting in lieu of the original $50 right-of-way fee that the City of Cudahy was planning to add to its fees to cover a 2026 budget shortfall.
—Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 21 Jan. 2026
On a gray January morning, in a muddy right-of-way near the Kentucky Exposition Center, a crew of contractors worked a half-dozen bald cypresses into the earth, part of a project in anticipation of a much warmer future.
—Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for right-of-way
Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
The legislation bans the use of eminent domain for the construction, operation or acquirement of right-of-ways for any pipeline with the primary purpose of transporting carbon dioxide.
—Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 22 Jan. 2026
Miranda Levy proposed the $25 amount during this latest meeting in lieu of the original $50 right-of-way fee that the City of Cudahy was planning to add to its fees to cover a 2026 budget shortfall.
—Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 21 Jan. 2026
On a gray January morning, in a muddy right-of-way near the Kentucky Exposition Center, a crew of contractors worked a half-dozen bald cypresses into the earth, part of a project in anticipation of a much warmer future.
—Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for right-of-way
Recent Examples of Synonyms for right-of-way
Noun
-
Under the constitutional clause, federal law takes precedence over any conflicting state or local law, rendering the lower-level law unenforceable.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
9 Feb. 2026
-
In any case, let the genuine desire to learn and understand take precedence over defensiveness whenever possible.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Leading through challenging moments requires steadiness, clear priorities, and transparency.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Museum members will have two weeks of priority access to the galleries, with general admission beginning May 4.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Right-of-way.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/right-of-way. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
