1
as in bizarre
different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion
the night watchman calls the police if he notices any out-of-the-way activity taking place during his shift
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unusual
noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced
there was nothing out-of-the-way about the hitchhiker's appearance that might arouse suspicion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
out of the way
2 of 2phrase
1
as in up
brought or having come to an end
Now that we've got the first step out of the way it's time to start phase two.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inappropriate
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation
They hoped he wouldn't say anything out of the way at the party.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of out-of-the-way
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Apr. 2026
Empty out cabinets and drawers and set these items aside in an out-of-the-way area.
—Lauren Wellbank, Martha Stewart, 24 Apr. 2026
The fun starts when Ben turns up soon after her pack is stolen and insists on offering her replacement gear and breakfast at his out-of-the-way campsite.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
While major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto are on every itinerary, the country offers hidden gems, out-of-the-way experiences, and relatively unknown places to explore.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for out-of-the-way
Adjective
Try them out on an out-of-the-way spot first.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Apr. 2026
Empty out cabinets and drawers and set these items aside in an out-of-the-way area.
—Lauren Wellbank, Martha Stewart, 24 Apr. 2026
The fun starts when Ben turns up soon after her pack is stolen and insists on offering her replacement gear and breakfast at his out-of-the-way campsite.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
While major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto are on every itinerary, the country offers hidden gems, out-of-the-way experiences, and relatively unknown places to explore.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for out-of-the-way
Recent Examples of Synonyms for out-of-the-way
Adjective
-
That’s just a really bizarre back and forth to exist in.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
31 May 2026
-
As the story builds toward a violent showdown between the mourners and the town, the reader will be entranced by its surreal language and bizarre logic.—
Gabrielle Bellot,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Since arriving at the zoo, the buffalo has attracted large crowds and sparked debate over its unusual nickname.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
-
What’s unusual is to see these elements presented so grandly on a stage as big as The Bushnell’s and presented in a manner that doesn’t compromise a dark tale of anger, revenge, dangerous romance, desperation and survival.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
The author could herself be considered predatorial, having written her own children in as the books’ protagonists, saddling them with a strange kind of fame.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
This strange occurrence echoes what happened at the top of the dot-com bubble 26 years ago.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
What customers increasingly dislike, Parmelee said, are screens that put pressure on customers to tip in situations in which gratuities were once optional or uncommon.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
-
When questioning is uncommon, early warnings are easy to overlook.—
Nisha Narayanan,
STAT,
5 June 2026
Adjective
-
The movie goes from this weird, seedy love motel to the industrial backwaters, and these long walks and talks down empty streets.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
-
The show hinges on finding an ordinary person who, plunged into a group of people he’s never met before, doesn’t reject them as weird or objectionable but embraces them at some basic human level.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Some of these flourishes are jarringly funny, others merely stop the film momentarily in its tracks.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
5 June 2026
-
People being all excited to be in an alliance that doesn't actually exist shouldn't be funny.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Some kind of carpet beetle, with the odd centipede joining the parade.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Here, as ever, Kokopeli suggests that clinging to youthful talismans offers no protection against uncertainty, and reasserts the odd mix of disaffection and morbid glee produced by such reactionary impulses.—
Theo Belci,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
For those staying at Elang Private Residence, meals can be directed by the guests or left to the chef, serving up, say, lamb satay on sugarcane skewers, seafood with mango sambal, slices of rare beef with tiny pots of rendang sauce.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
The ability to disconnect intentionally from these overwhelming stimuli—to reclaim one’s focus, clarity, and feeling of immediacy—has become rare and precious.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Out-of-the-way.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/out-of-the-way. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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