as in precedence
the right to one's attention before other things considered less important
the bill for emergency aid was immediately granted right-of-way
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Recent Examples of right-of-way
Those proceeding more quickly were given the right-of-way to pass on the left.
—
Byron Hurd, The Drive, 26 Feb. 2026
Then a second new bridge — appropriately named Portal South — will be built in the same right-of-way as the old bridge.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2026
Three minutes before midnight Monday, Wilson was driving his silver Toyota Tacoma north on Northwest 31st Avenue in Tamarac, crossing at the intersection of Prospect Road with the right-of-way, when a BSO deputy collided with the driver’s side of his truck, court records say.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
Intentionally obstructing the roadway, especially while impeding emergency access, is a misdemeanor in Minnesota, as is being a public nuisance by blocking the right-of-way.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for right-of-way
Byron Hurd, The Drive, 26 Feb. 2026
Then a second new bridge — appropriately named Portal South — will be built in the same right-of-way as the old bridge.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2026
Three minutes before midnight Monday, Wilson was driving his silver Toyota Tacoma north on Northwest 31st Avenue in Tamarac, crossing at the intersection of Prospect Road with the right-of-way, when a BSO deputy collided with the driver’s side of his truck, court records say.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
Intentionally obstructing the roadway, especially while impeding emergency access, is a misdemeanor in Minnesota, as is being a public nuisance by blocking the right-of-way.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for right-of-way
Recent Examples of Synonyms for right-of-way
Noun
-
Stories prey on our emotions, not our rationality, and in many cases, the former takes precedence over the latter.—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
3 Mar. 2026
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The tight ensemble — Hadras, Moreno and Herndon — takes storytelling precedence.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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He was involved in the negotiations for Hansen's seat, which took four years to obtain as both NASA and CSA policy priorities had to align on the matter, and funding to be obtained.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
6 Mar. 2026
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Passing the baton ‘beautifully’ Another priority is to ensure a smooth hand-off to Aflac’s next CEO.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Right-of-way.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/right-of-way. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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