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
Kim Velsey, Curbed, 22 Sep. 2025
My eye was arrested by a couple of pairs in a stunning new shade, the purple of wisteria, sitting on an almost-out-of-the-way shelf.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025
The out-of-the-way, squat brick building is appropriately dark inside, but clean and fairly spacious.
—Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 14 Aug. 2025
Act 2 finds the trio ending their six-week engagement at an out-of-the-way Nashville bar.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for out-of-the-way
Adjective
And Beekman Place, the tiny, out-of-the-way East River enclave favored by the old-money crowd since Shipman and her society cohort transformed it into a fashionable spot in the 1920s, largely fell out of favor around 2000.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 22 Sep. 2025
My eye was arrested by a couple of pairs in a stunning new shade, the purple of wisteria, sitting on an almost-out-of-the-way shelf.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025
The out-of-the-way, squat brick building is appropriately dark inside, but clean and fairly spacious.
—Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 14 Aug. 2025
Act 2 finds the trio ending their six-week engagement at an out-of-the-way Nashville bar.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for out-of-the-way
Recent Examples of Synonyms for out-of-the-way
Adjective
-
Even its star, Kim Kardashian, is leaning into the bizarre criticism, posting photos on Instagram of herself laughing along with the rest of the cast, interspersed with scathing reviews.—
Rebecca Aizin,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
-
And calls like Payton’s bizarre third-and-1 trick play involving Courtland Sutton — a double pass that never came to be — aren’t helping.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The novel’s composition is remarkable for the unusual way its eight sections tangentially revolve around the narrator, a West African man named Tunde.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Sabrina Carpenter performed double duty as host and musical guest on the previous episode, which, in an unusual move, kicked off with a non-political cold open.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
But then something strange happened.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
This addictive, loping track is one of the best and strangest songs from the artist’s fifth album.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
From lab to runway Testing in real-world conditions is uncommon for university researchers, but the UA Power Group sees it as essential for progress.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Knowles also created sound works, which frequently centered the bean, an uncommon object in the Fluxus oeuvre.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Our weird mayor finds ways to stay busy—too busy to call the mayor-elect and say congrats, apparently.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Josh is so great with coming up with different chords and weird chords.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Anyone vaguely near the aesthetic gets christened it by fans, including Bassvictim, who were always funnier and more creative than the other modern electroclash revivalists.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The performance is funny and manic and just the right amount of sad and desperate.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
While Iguaran was waiting for relatives to send more cash, and earning small amounts of money working odd jobs, the men who operate the fishing boats transporting migrants to Colombia cut him a break.—
Daniel Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
That case should get started in late November, with Zwerner placed in the odd position — in terms of personal financial gain — of seeking Parker’s acquittal.—
Gary Grumbach,
NBC news,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
During High Point Market in October, designers stole a rare break from the windowless-showroom grind.—
Catherine Hong,
Architectural Digest,
6 Nov. 2025
-
And labor scholar Hamilton Nolan reminds us to breathe, and take the (rare) win.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Out-of-the-way.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/out-of-the-way. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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