road

noun

ˈrōd How to pronounce road (audio)
Definition of roadnext
1
as in highway
a passage cleared for public vehicular travel I think we should take one of the less congested roads

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in railroad
a roadway overlaid with parallel steel rails over which trains travel the railway companies are continually repairing their roads

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 road The road going through the development has been paved, and at least one home has been sold during the construction period, according to Elliott. — Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 21 July 2026 If no shelter is available avoid trees, power lines, and the side of the road. — Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026 Flooding is likely on roads and in urban areas, and some homes could be inundated, the center warned. — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 15 July 2026 The road climbs through green mountains before suddenly revealing the Atlantic Ocean. — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for road
Recent Examples of Synonyms for road
  1. highway
  2. railroad
  3. street
  4. railway
  5. thoroughfare
  6. freeway
  7. route
  8. expressway
Noun
  • Video from his dash camera shows the aircraft gliding under a highway sign, missing it by mere feet, before touching down in the empty lanes.
    — Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The famed highway—which turns 100 this year—passes through bustling cities, natural landmarks, and quirky roadside attractions, so there’s plenty of things to see (and do) along the way.
    — Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of highway
Noun
  • With the advent of railroads the town attracted the wealthy from all over Europe.
    — Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • The rural community has for years worked to build a loop railroad and transfer facility for cargo and grain.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
Definition of railroad
Noun
  • Headed somewhere with beautiful (albeit hilly) cobblestoned streets?
    — Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 3 Aug. 2026
  • In a video on Facebook, a motorist canvassed the streets of Indian Trail as fires consumed properties and cars on both sides of the road.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of street
Noun
  • The European Union’s most populous country has a railway network totaling some 33,400 kilometers (20,750 miles) in length, used by an average 50,000 trains per day.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
  • In recent days, the US has expanded its targets beyond Iranian coastal sites housing radar and drone facilities to include roads, tunnels, railways, port infrastructure and, according to Iranian media, a desalination plant.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Definition of railway
Noun
  • Much of the action centers on Warren Street, a lively main thoroughfare lined with independent boutiques, art galleries, vintage shops, bookstores, cafés, and farm-to-table eateries.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Down below, the famous thoroughfare in Midtown Manhattan is packed full of commuters and tourists.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of thoroughfare
Noun
  • On Los Angeles freeways that muscle comes in handy all day long.
    — Brooke Crothers, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • The California Highway Patrol has issued a Sig Alert for all lanes of the freeway at Main Street.
    — Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Definition of freeway
Noun
  • On Saturday, members of multiple North Texas Jeep clubs are expected to line part of Gonzales' funeral procession route near Prestonwood Baptist Church.
    — Erin Jones, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Despite having roughly 850 law enforcement officers along the parade route and at the rally, shots rang out as people were beginning to leave.
    — Laura Bauer July 31, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
Definition of route
Noun
  • All northbound traffic on the Dan Ryan was being diverted off the expressway at 67th Street in both the local and express lanes for several hours after the crash.
    — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Dramatic video shows a loose tire flying across Interstate 76 before slamming into an SUV on the westbound Schuylkill expressway near the Girard avenue exit in Philadelphia.
    — Cherise Lynch, NBC news, 31 July 2026
Definition of expressway

Phrases Containing road

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roaches
road
roadblock
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Cite this Entry

“Road.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/road. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on road

Nglish: Translation of road for Spanish Speakers

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