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
-
His work is marked by unusual, even bizarre, material choices that encrust spatial compositions reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright’s innovative open space plans.—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Some unnamed Chicago bartender in the early 1880s had the improbable idea of taking a Whiskey Sour and adding a little red wine to the top, inventing in a bizarre flash of insightone of the great warm weather whiskey drinks of our time.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This time hosted against the dramatic architecture of Verona’s Roman Arena, this ceremony will celebrate the achievements of athletes from around the world, setting an unusual precedent of differing from the location of the opening ceremony.—
Sam Leveridge,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The film takes some departures from the visual styles found in Pickford’s other films, invoking an unusual tone of despair while deploying camera angles and lighting akin to German Expressionist cinema.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The choice of Olivier Boscagli at left-back at Fulham, for example, a contributing factor in Chukwueze’s equaliser, was strange.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
In a dispatch from Minneapolis, chaun webster considers the strange familiarity of ICE and the limits of our language.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Snow, ice, and especially strong crosswinds can make driving unpredictable, and whiteouts aren’t uncommon during storms.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
24 Jan. 2026
-
This combination of growth and capital returns is uncommon in tech hardware.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s a weird kind of rigor that results from going through something that many times.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The Emmy-winning host ended last season with a telethon auctioning off weird memorabilia from previous episodes of the show.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
His sharp, funny, and unexpectedly comforting voice makes the book a joy to read and turns what could feel grim into something liberating.—
Jasna Hodžić,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Roy Keane is clearly a very funny character who everyone is scared of… Then Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville are just absolutely filled with football.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
What begins as an odd arrangement gradually becomes a warm, unconventional bond — and an unpredictable love.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Their misadventures spiral into odd, escalating situations that would play better with sharper writing or more adventurous direction.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Engineers can simulate rare or dangerous situations safely.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
-
So rare as to be rarely let go.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 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 1 Feb. 2026.
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