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
-
Weird neighbors and increasingly bizarre diversions plague every attempt Nameless Hero makes to get down the stairs of his building to the man who’s standing outside.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
14 June 2026
-
And in a bizarre twist, a criminal investigation has been opened after three dogs were found dead at the travel trailer where mauling victim Jodi Cowan was living at the time of the fatal attack.—
Natasha Holt,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
The lobby is filled with well-to-do patrons, and seeing children in tow is not unusual.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 June 2026
-
The Tiburtinis’ decision may have been unusual, but the pressures behind it were not.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
Truth is stranger than fiction.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
17 June 2026
-
As Photay, Shornstein—a master synthesist and producer—flits between atmospheric house, dubby breakbeat workouts, and chirping electro funk, building his songs’ arrangements into strange, angular shapes.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
His Heisman candidacy reflects the program's rapid ascent, an uncommon feat for a Commodore, and underscores how swiftly fortunes can shift in college football.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Dec. 2025
-
United States Geological Survey While earthquakes are not uncommon in the Bay Area, one city has been experiencing a swarm of quakes since November.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
9 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
There’s been a weird weather quirk surrounding the national soccer teams that have made base camps in the Kansas City area.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
-
Another open question is how this apparent asteroid found its way into a weird orbit alongside Earth’s.—
Andrew Jones,
Scientific American,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
To work with Ed Asner, at that point, how funny would that have been?—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
12 June 2026
-
There are frequent funny asides and philosophical musings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
Immediately after alighting from its fanciful detour, Woods makes the odd decision to leave Emily’s perspective and lock into Sylvia’s.—
Natalia Winkelman,
Variety,
16 June 2026
-
The figures of fetal presentations from the sixteenth century are odd, charming things.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
But the nonprofit maintains that Jackie and Shadow use the land as a prime foraging area, and the development — less than a mile from their nest — will deprive them of a rare slice of undeveloped forest in the bustling vacation destination.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
-
These Knicks will be remembered as champions and as the rare big-market team that became easy to root for.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
17 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 18 Jun. 2026.
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