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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Should the seafood-averse find their way through the door, look to an excellent roast chicken in ham jus, accompanied by a welcome splotch of mustard. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 The surest way in for an outsider is to buy it, acquiring a domestic company and running it as a local subsidiary. — Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
Adverb
Teams who already slack way off Green defensively would also force James to beat them from the outside while clogging as much space for Curry to operate. — Nick Friedell, New York Times, 1 July 2026 Love Island was also way up over its 2025 premiere week (772 million minutes), rising by 69 percent year to year. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 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
  • The size of the frozen zone in which crews are working to stabilize a building in Midtown Manhattan was decreased late Tuesday, but some roads remain blocked.
    — Kelly McCleary, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
  • This can cause loss of control in extreme circumstances, especially when the road conditions aren’t prime.
    — Keith Laing, USA Today, 8 July 2026
Definition of road
Noun
  • Update a profile photo or choose one small habit that supports your body and mood.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
  • This has impacted every aspect of his life — sleep, eating habits and his controlling attitude toward me.
    — Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 4 July 2026
Definition of habit
Noun
  • In the episode, Monsignor Sarno — who spent 40 years working with the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints — said canonization is meant to highlight an individual’s life path as an example for conscience in their specific circumstance.
    — Vivian Wilson, Twin Cities, 8 July 2026
  • Germany, with its robust manufacturing economy, ramped up its defense spending with a clear path to reaching the 5% target.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
Definition of path
Noun
  • These deciduous trees are invasive in many areas because of their aggressive roots that spread wide and far, and their tendency to take over native plants.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 July 2026
  • This is largely because about half of autistic children have a tendency to wander away from safe environments.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 July 2026
Definition of tendency
Noun
  • While working on the Venezuela rescue mission, Short and the other team members were recently firing up a smoker for burgers and roasted potatoes in the kitchen a floor below their conference room.
    — Seamus Bozeman Follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • The ruins of Dungeness, a 59-room, 37,000-square-foot estate house dating to the mid-1880s, once owned by Thomas Carnegie, brother and business partner of Pittsburgh steel magnate Andrew Carnegie.
    — Jennifer Peebles, AJC.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of room
Noun
  • The new proposal for the future of the global commercial shipping route was first reported by The New York Times, citing an Iranian official and four diplomats with knowledge of the matter.
    — Abigail Williams, NBC news, 3 July 2026
  • Reynolds was on her USPS route when the incident happened, Postal Inspector Jessica Adams told USA TODAY.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of route
Noun
  • Mouth Competitive eaters have a unique approach to eating that differs significantly from that of the average person.
    — Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • But even opening on 1,500 screens, Harris’ brilliantly dexterous approach proved too much for the film’s marketers.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 July 2026
Definition of approach
Noun
  • Seconds later, a powerful explosion blasted through the doorway, shattering windows and sending vertical blinds and debris flying as firefighters quickly retreated from the building.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • However, for those with mobility issues looking to book a stay, most of the rooms require the use of stairs and doorways are not meant to accommodate wheelchairs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 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 10 Jul. 2026.

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