way 1 of 2

noun

ˈwā How to pronounce way (audio)
Definition of waynext
1
as in road
a passage cleared for public vehicular travel the town honored the local sports hero by naming after him a short way connecting two shopping centers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in habit
a usual manner of behaving or doing she's set in her ways and is not about to change

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3
as in path
an established course for traveling from one place to another took the regular way to work

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in tendency
an established pattern of behavior that's just his way, so pay him no mind

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in room
an extent or area available for or used up by some activity or thing made way for them to pass

Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in route
the direction along which something or someone moves go the same way that the school bus does

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7
as in approach
the means or procedure for doing something figured out the best way to accomplish the task

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8
as in doorway
the opening through which one can enter or leave a structure we came in the back way

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9
as in option
the power, right, or opportunity to choose have it your way

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in distance
the space or amount of space between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects it's just a little way down the road

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way

2 of 2

adverb

as in very
to a great degree "Oh, I'm just way thrilled to be here!" the pageant contestant gushed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word way different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of way are fashion, manner, method, mode, and system. While all these words mean "the means taken or procedure followed in achieving an end," way is very general and may be used for any of the preceding words.

has her own way of doing things

In what contexts can fashion take the place of way?

Although the words fashion and way have much in common, fashion may suggest a peculiar or characteristic way of doing something.

rushing about in his typical fashion

How are the words manner and mode related as synonyms of way?

Manner is close to mode but may imply a procedure or method that is individual or distinctive.

an odd manner of conducting

When would method be a good substitute for way?

The synonyms method and way are sometimes interchangeable, but method implies an orderly logical arrangement usually in steps.

effective teaching methods

Where would mode be a reasonable alternative to way?

The words mode and way are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mode implies an order or course followed by custom, tradition, or personal preference.

the preferred mode of transportation

When might system be a better fit than way?

In some situations, the words system and way are roughly equivalent. However, system suggests a fully developed or carefully formulated method often emphasizing rational orderliness.

a filing system

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 way
Noun
That’s a delicate way of saying that the neighborhood, for all its density and height, is still a little underpopulated. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 29 Sep. 2026 The scout, herself an alum of the contest, sees Ericka as the best way for Ghana to get attention, and the tables begin to turn on Paulina to the chagrin of the caring if pragmatic headmistress, Francis (Heather Alicia Simms). — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 29 Sep. 2026
Adverb
The shift can be subtle, but combined with how the shade reads against your skin tone, the finished look feels way more custom than a standard balm, gloss or long-lasting liquid lipstick. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026 Also, there’s way too much involvement of the tech companies in in core academic processes like setting curriculum and so on. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for way
Recent Examples of Synonyms for way
  1. road
  2. habit
  3. path
  4. tendency
  5. room
  6. route
  7. approach
  8. doorway
Noun
  • Russian assaults since Thursday have forced the full or partial closure of three of Kyiv's six road bridges, suspending traffic and causing tailbacks in the Ukrainian capital.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Chinese, Russian troops train together The PLA contingent traveled to Russia by road, rail and air and participated in the preparatory phase alongside forces from Russia, Belarus, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and Tajikistan.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of road
Noun
  • Consumer habits also proved more stubbornly set than PowerPoint presentations had suggested.
    — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • But the intensity of its consumerism and the import of its traditions also have a habit of freaking people out.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of habit
Noun
  • The path of regulation In 2022, the Congressional Budget Office distilled decades of health care policy fights into a single PowerPoint slide.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Moderate flooding of sea water is possibly over some vulnerable low-lying coastal areas, especially around the morning and evening high tides, including over beach parking lots, bike paths, and harbor walkways.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of path
Noun
  • The perfect cup of coffee with Kevin Costner After reading prior interviews Costner had done with other outlets, one thing felt surprising given the actor's tendency toward the ruggedly handsome, cowboy archetype.
    — Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Not as praiseworthy is a tendency to dislike being told what to do, and in proving a point, to not only cut off their nose to spite their face but to lop off their heads as well.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of tendency
Noun
  • The backstory In a city packed with hotel chains that often feel too buttoned-up, this 83-room boutique property stands out for its free and creative spirit.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Guillén’s email did not say where in the room the alive one was found.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of room
Noun
  • The Houthis recently captured the strategic port city of Mokha and several Red Sea islands, extending their reach toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a maritime route through which about 12% of global trade passes.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Mapping And Strengthening Your Handoffs ​Modern AI can capture conversations, identify patterns, organize evidence and route insights directly into the workflows where decisions are made.
    — Stu Sjouwerman, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of route
Noun
  • The stone leans toward or away from the steel; the steel approaches or withdraws from the stone.
    — Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Raffles Bali also takes a responsible approach to waste management, using compost fertilizer made from kitchen and landscape waste and repurposing calcium carbonate-rich eggshells from the restaurants for organic fertilizer in the herb garden.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of approach
Noun
  • Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies applied a stricter standard, looking for single-floor living, a no-step entrance and hallways and doorways wide enough for wheelchair access, and found fewer than 4% of homes qualified.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026
  • A number of protesters were removed from the doorway of the building by authorities, and supporters chanted as Abascal was driven away in an ambulance.
    — Adam England, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of doorway

Phrases Containing way

Browse Nearby Words

waxy
way
wayfarer
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Cite this Entry

“Way.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/way. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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