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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of out-of-the-way
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
Named for their out-of-the-way location compared to Nassau, the Out Islands combined welcomed 40% less visitors than Nassau on New Providence Island in 2019.
—Carley Rojas Ávila, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Others are hidden in some of the game's most out-of-the-way underground crevices and practically require the use of collectible in-game treasure maps to find.
—ArsTechnica, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for out-of-the-way
Adjective
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
Named for their out-of-the-way location compared to Nassau, the Out Islands combined welcomed 40% less visitors than Nassau on New Providence Island in 2019.
—Carley Rojas Ávila, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Others are hidden in some of the game's most out-of-the-way underground crevices and practically require the use of collectible in-game treasure maps to find.
—ArsTechnica, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for out-of-the-way
Recent Examples of Synonyms for out-of-the-way
Adjective
-
As travelers crave experiences over ordinary stays, hotels that have transformed grim to glam are now embracing their bizarre and sometimes haunted histories, even hosting weddings and wellness retreats.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
-
But things take a bizarre turn when her son, Simón (Roger Príncep), goes missing.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Bessent, who specialized in foreign exchange in a decades-long hedge fund career, organized a $20 billion foreign-exchange swap with Argentina’s central bank earlier this month — an unusual structure that bypassed the US Federal Reserve, which is typically the lead party in such arrangements.—
Daniel Flatley,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Tucked away in a couple of buildings in Old Town are rows upon rows of colorful artwork, which is not especially unusual for the state historic park.—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Also this week, celebrity chef José Andres reveals his latest cookbook, the strange case of two hyper-specific vending machines, and the neverending epic of Cracker Barrel’s redesign fiasco adds yet another chapter.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
31 Oct. 2025
-
But there's a strange intimacy to Talk to Me's premise, in which teens act tough by holding a mummified hand, declaring the titular phrase, and inviting one lucky spirit from the other side to inhabit their body.—
Dennis Perkins,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Foragers in the know have multiple ginkgo spots around town, but the fruit is relatively uncommon.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
28 Oct. 2025
-
While its not uncommon for companies to establish new garment factories, new mills are more challenging.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
At the same time, as Cawsey points out, the legend of Tutivillus itself was like good gossip—colorful, wicked, and weird.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Kinda weird that arguably the best episode of the season featured not one, but two extended scenes of players fishing, but whatevs.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This is less spooky and more funny.—
Josh Honeycutt,
Outdoor Life,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Musical inspiration can be a funny thing.—
Simon Vozick-Levinson,
Rolling Stone,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Over time, her experience juggling odd jobs has primed her with skills for financial emergencies like the one her family is facing this month.—
Bonny Chu , Lorraine Taylor,
FOXNews.com,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Did any president have particularly odd tastes?—
Dan Reilly,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
While still rare, most airplane incidents occur while the aircraft is taking off or landing.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
In a rare moment of impressive hosting, Vanessa Lachey pointed out that Edmond's traumatic childhood and upbringing might result in him only focusing on the positive memories and blocking out any negative memories as a coping mechanism.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 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 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share