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
Maddie Topliff, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for out-of-the-way
Adjective
As for where to decorate, focus on your TV stand, end tables, and kitchen table, the most high-traffic but out-of-the-way areas.
—Maddie Topliff, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for out-of-the-way
Recent Examples of Synonyms for out-of-the-way
Adjective
-
In a bizarre twist, Sweden’s Sara Hector and Norway’s Thea Louise Stjernesund skied identical times — down to the hundredth of a second — in the morning and afternoon to tie for silver.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Of all the Manhattan’s children—and there are many—the Harvard Cocktail is perhaps the most bizarre.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In the footage and images released by the FBI, the suspect appears to have a gun holstered near the center of his waist – an unusual position – and is seen wearing a backpack with reflective straps.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Austin criminal defense attorney Sam Bassett told CBS affiliate KEYE-TV that a declaration of innocence is very unusual.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Probably closer to Mike Piazza strange.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Jones is no stranger to pushing for reunions.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Those conditions are uncommon, but not unprecedented in the historical record.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Houston Chronicle,
13 Feb. 2026
-
This is something that is common around young stars that have turbulent and violent environments, but is uncommon for stars as old as ASASSN-24fw, estimated to be around 1 billion years old.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And even the weird stuff makes sense now.—
Simon Vozick-Levinson,
Rolling Stone,
16 Feb. 2026
-
But after listening to his presser — the whole thing, not a single snippet — a few times now, the circumstances of Monday were weird at best and alarming at worst.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The builders’ alternating harassment and bribery leaves Cook with little recourse, especially when mafioso-like representatives begin dropping by at all hours, leading to dry exchanges — what little dialogue the film has is extremely funny.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
19 Feb. 2026
-
This Elvis comes across confident, breezy, comfortable and funny.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Scout Island, on the north side of the park, is particularly riven through with odd trails and random stick deadfalls.—
Outside,
Outside,
17 Feb. 2026
-
For 20-odd years, Adams has been one of Hollywood’s most reliably committed and conscientious performers.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The winning bid for the rare card was placed by venture capitalist AJ Scaramucci, the son of former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Her clothes are sexy without being overt – the rare adult statement in a fashion world too fixated on disposable clothes.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 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 21 Feb. 2026.
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