alleys

noun

plural of alley
as in streets
a narrow passage between buildings One can spend days exploring all the alleys and backstreets of the old city.

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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 alleys Architectural historians describe Googie style as a bold strain of Mid-Century Modernism, notable for big neon signs and swooping roofs, especially popular among restaurants, bowling alleys and car washes, now increasingly rare. — Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 The good fixers knew where the sniper alleys were, and many of them had grown up with the rebels who were now running the local checkpoints. — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 Infrastructure funding would be used to maintain pavement, curbs, gutters, alleys, bridges and culverts throughout the city. — Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2026 For the most organic blend of ancient and modern Bangkok, explore the nearby waterfront district Talat Noi (Small Market), where alleys lead to passageways that are often only shoulder width. — Tony Perrottet, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Best Things to Do Take a wander along the Sumida River to orient yourself and then dive into the tiny back alleys to find what exhibitions the indie art venues have on. — Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2026 After a tour past mannequins in their likenesses, Manolo Blahnik slippers and mood boards, the party moved to the Versailles Orangerie, where Cartier grooms lined the alleys leading to the grandiose gallery. — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026 Deep inside the labyrinthine alleys of Acre’s Old City – home to a 700-year-old Crusader fortress – Muhammad Hani could not order a takeaway pizza. — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026 The committee recommended legislation directing Kruschke to hire contractors to speed up the replacement of concrete panels on local roads and maintenance of alleys. — Alison Dirr, jsonline.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alleys
  1. streets
  2. roads
  3. highways
Noun
  • Celebrities are still wearing them too, including the actress Zoë Kravitz, who has been photographed in them on New York City streets, and Meghan Markle, who sported a slip skirt for the recent release of her As Ever advent calendar on Instagram.
    — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Spotted out in New York City, the actor and recent beauty brand founder appeared to have taken the comforts of home quite literally onto the streets.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of streets
Noun
  • Kyiv has accused Russian forces of mining nearby roads and using the remaining residents as human shields to prevent Ukraine’s army from conducting offensive operations in the town.
    — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Response teams are battling armed conflict, poor roads and violence from residents fueled by mistrust and misinformation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of roads
Noun
  • The records show that for nearly three years now, Florida’s highways have been racing with troopers’ black-and-tan patrol cars chasing drivers, even for non-violent offenses, leaving a trail of severe crashes, injuries and deaths.
    — Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Oklahoma's Highway Patrol signed all of its troopers on to 287(g), giving their officers the power to stop a driver and potentially make an immigration arrest on state highways.
    — Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of highways

Browse Nearby Words

alley cats
alleys
alleyway
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Cite this Entry

“Alleys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alleys. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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