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
Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Make a brush pile in an out-of-the-way spot in the yard with trimmed branches where birds can find shelter.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Dec. 2024
Besides the occasional random spider that scuttles indoors, some spiders can live in out-of-the-way spots in your home, such as along ceilings or in basements and behind clutter.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, Ojibwe chef Bryce Stevenson, a key figure in the Indigenous Food Sovereignty movement and a 2024 James Beard Award semifinalist, took a big gamble in 2023 by choosing his out-of-the-way home turf as the location for a high-concept restaurant, Miijim.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 20 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for out-of-the-way
Adjective
Plans called for the second stage to be placed in a safe condition to stay in a high, out-of-the-way orbit in accordance with NASA’s practices for minimizing space junk.
—Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Make a brush pile in an out-of-the-way spot in the yard with trimmed branches where birds can find shelter.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Dec. 2024
Besides the occasional random spider that scuttles indoors, some spiders can live in out-of-the-way spots in your home, such as along ceilings or in basements and behind clutter.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, Ojibwe chef Bryce Stevenson, a key figure in the Indigenous Food Sovereignty movement and a 2024 James Beard Award semifinalist, took a big gamble in 2023 by choosing his out-of-the-way home turf as the location for a high-concept restaurant, Miijim.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 20 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for out-of-the-way
Recent Examples of Synonyms for out-of-the-way
Adjective
-
Sinner won a bizarre semifinal in his first tournament back from a three-month doping ban, while Alcaraz triumphed in a sloppy duel.—
Sam Settleman,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
-
Known for its deluge of gruesome deaths that just get more bizarre with each iteration, Final Destination is now returning for a sixth movie.—
Rebecca Aizin,
People.com,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
In that respect, Alonso is not necessarily unusual.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
-
Kehoe’s hands-on involvement with the proposal, which is unusual for a sitting governor, poses a big test of his political clout after spending years as a prominent Jefferson City businessman.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
From the window of his 46th-floor downtown office, attorney Scott Sheftall noticed a strange, solitary cloud that worried him.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
10 May 2025
-
Although strange, anachronistic, and exaggerated, this world still seems to reflect the same daily problems that all people endure.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
Then again, this drought is uncommon for the 22-year-old center fielder.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 May 2025
-
Flares of this magnitude are uncommon, the service added.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
In this instance there was a weird misunderstanding about which some of the people on the WGA Board chose to assume the worst.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
10 May 2025
-
This time around, Natasha Lyonne's Charlie is on the run from mob boss Beatrix Hasp (a delightfully evil Rhea Perlman) — and there's no shortage of weird cases for Charlie to use her impeccable lie-detecting superpowers on.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
That’s not to say the film isn’t funny or sweet, but that there is something much more profound and uncomfortable at its heart, and one that poses a tricky challenge for first-time filmmakers Johansson and Kamen.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
20 May 2025
-
His translation recognizes, here and throughout, that the original is funny and compelling enough not to need elaborate explanation, even 60 years after its debut.—
Lily Meyer,
The Dial,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
It was also updated to clarify the role of Victor Ortega-Jiménez in observing the flamingos' odd feeding behavior.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
16 May 2025
-
There’s an odd smoothness to the look and feel of the cinematography by Christian Sebaldt, but the uncanny valley phenomenon is welcome when watching bodily destruction unfold.—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
The bill, introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, passed with unanimous consent – a rare occurrence for substantive legislation.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
21 May 2025
-
This rare, hands-on recording museum highlights the sonic legacy of guitar god Les Paul.—
Hailey Branson-Potts,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 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 24 May. 2025.
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