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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Recent Examples of alleys
After that, Public Works will sweep more than 2,200 alleys.
—
Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 8 Apr. 2026
Bethany takes the explosive event as a sign to ditch her baggage, reunite with childhood friend Nel (Lena Góra), and traipse across lofts, clubs, and back alleys, all the while becoming entangled in an emotional web that challenges her sense of self.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 6 Apr. 2026
Main lines usually run between poles along streets and alleys.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
The bazaar has plenty of goods, and the smell of hyacinths, a traditional Nowruz flower, permeates the narrow alleys, a visceral reminder of springtime in the city.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
In densely populated neighborhoods of flimsy wooden houses, charcoal braziers tumbled over, fuel tanks ruptured, combustible chemicals in apothecaries exploded, and high winds fanned the flames through alleys.
—Joshua Hammer, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
Nur Mahdi al-Shahdi wasn’t born just once, but several times throughout the years of his life in the alleys.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
Think bowling alleys, a home theater, tennis and basketball courts, arcade rooms, a pool and spa, and even an ice-cream parlor–style concession space.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2026
The alleys are along South LA's 94th Street in the Westmont neighborhood.
—Lauren Pozen, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 8 Apr. 2026
Bethany takes the explosive event as a sign to ditch her baggage, reunite with childhood friend Nel (Lena Góra), and traipse across lofts, clubs, and back alleys, all the while becoming entangled in an emotional web that challenges her sense of self.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 6 Apr. 2026
Main lines usually run between poles along streets and alleys.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
The bazaar has plenty of goods, and the smell of hyacinths, a traditional Nowruz flower, permeates the narrow alleys, a visceral reminder of springtime in the city.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
In densely populated neighborhoods of flimsy wooden houses, charcoal braziers tumbled over, fuel tanks ruptured, combustible chemicals in apothecaries exploded, and high winds fanned the flames through alleys.
—Joshua Hammer, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
Nur Mahdi al-Shahdi wasn’t born just once, but several times throughout the years of his life in the alleys.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
Think bowling alleys, a home theater, tennis and basketball courts, arcade rooms, a pool and spa, and even an ice-cream parlor–style concession space.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2026
The alleys are along South LA's 94th Street in the Westmont neighborhood.
—Lauren Pozen, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alleys
Noun
-
The normally bustling streets of Islamabad were deserted Saturday morning as security forces sealed roads ahead of the talks.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
More than 270 people have died on city streets since the pledge, according to city data, and Sacramento ranked second-worst among California’s 15 largest cities for injury and fatal crashes, with 4,214 people killed or injured in 2023.—
Chris Fusco. Story produced with AI assistance,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For myself, having a Wrangler is the perfect vehicle to just drive these desolate roads.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The affected roads include Fay Avenue, Girard Avenue, Herschel Avenue, Pearl Street, La Jolla Boulevard, Prospect Street, Gilman Drive, La Jolla Shores Drive, Torrey Pines Road and more.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Along with its work on public lands, Pacific Coast Seed also works frequently with BART and the California Department of Transportation to replant around stations or along highways with native plants and flowers — meaning that your nearest wildflower display could be as close as your commute.—
Alissa Greenberg,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Slow-moving convoys of vehicles also caused traffic jams on major highways.—
Brian Melley,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alleys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alleys. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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