CASTAWAY Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

castaway 1 of 2

noun

Definition of castaway

as in reject

one who is cast out or rejected by society one theory is that Easter Island was first settled by castaways from Polynesia

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

insider

castaway

2 of 2

adjective

as in lost

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 castaway

Noun

Supporters of the theory believe that Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan became stranded on the remote island after failing to reach Howland Island — possibly dying as castaways. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026 But the Hurricanes turned speedy castaways like Ehlers, Miller, Taylor Hall and Eric Robinson into Cup champions. — Murat Ates, New York Times, 17 June 2026

Adjective

Chartering a speedboat, we were whisked into the bay, a spellbinding expanse of calm, amniotic water dotted with more than 50 tiny islands and pristine beaches that called to mind castaway fantasies. — David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025 Colts head coach Shane Steichen has found something in castaway quarterback Daniel Jones. — Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 28 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for castaway

Recent Examples of Synonyms for castaway

Noun

All three are crime drama-thrillers, the most exportable and ordered of program types, but all three reject tropes of the genre.

— John Hopewell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
Before carving out a career in sports broadcasting and voice acting, Horton was just a teenaged high school basketball reject.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of reject

Adjective

Relations between criminals and the authorities would become especially cozy; nostalgic references to a lost past would provide a false sense of continuity.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Anyone researching a hair transplant in Turkey in their twenties should read a clinic’s willingness to advise waiting as a sign of quality rather than a lost sale.

— William Jones, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of lost

Noun

All the Little Houses is set in the wealthy enclave of Longview, Texas, where Charleigh Anderson has clawed her way from outcast to undisputed queen bee.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026
Widow’s Bay co-stars Kate O’Flynn as Patricia Moyer, a social outcast who works as Tom’s assistant and is convinced no one likes her — in part because very few people do.

— Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of outcast

Adjective

After discussing the safety measures and hearing from those in attendance, Hall and Lett withdrew to discuss the vote over the phone with Eastern Commissioner Jamey Cope, who was absent for a conference.

— Glory Reitz, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
The moon will be absent most of the night, rising a couple of hours before dawn as a 17%-illuminated waning crescent — too dim to affect visibility of meteors.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of absent

Noun

How odd that your in-laws can call your bed old and ugly, but balk at insulting their neighbor’s castoffs by not using them.

— Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 3 Oct. 2026
Hsu maps a Los Angeles of leftovers and castoffs; portraits of friends and strangers in the street are full of dazed, inscrutable expressions.

— Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of castoff

Noun

The best part of the movie is Murray Bartlett’s wise leper, a man who for the vast majority of his screen time is covered head to toe.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Robin also strikes up a friendship with a soulful, philosophical leper (Murray Bartlett, covered in wrappings from head to toe), who somehow recognizes his good qualities.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026

Definition of leper

Adjective

While Denny is out trick or treating on Halloween with his nanny Cecilia (Adriana Paz, Emilia Pérez), Mark and Abigail’s son goes missing.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Rescuers have so far recovered the bodies of at least 1,455 people, but 5,285 others remain missing, including hundreds of foreign nationals.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026