way 1 of 2

noun

ˈwā How to pronounce way (audio)
Definition of waynext
1
as in road
a passage cleared for public vehicular travel the town honored the local sports hero by naming after him a short way connecting two shopping centers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in habit
a usual manner of behaving or doing she's set in her ways and is not about to change

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in path
an established course for traveling from one place to another took the regular way to work

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in tendency
an established pattern of behavior that's just his way, so pay him no mind

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in room
an extent or area available for or used up by some activity or thing made way for them to pass

Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in route
the direction along which something or someone moves go the same way that the school bus does

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7
as in approach
the means or procedure for doing something figured out the best way to accomplish the task

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8
as in doorway
the opening through which one can enter or leave a structure we came in the back way

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9
as in option
the power, right, or opportunity to choose have it your way

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in distance
the space or amount of space between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects it's just a little way down the road

Synonyms & Similar Words

way

2 of 2

adverb

as in very
to a great degree "Oh, I'm just way thrilled to be here!" the pageant contestant gushed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word way different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of way are fashion, manner, method, mode, and system. While all these words mean "the means taken or procedure followed in achieving an end," way is very general and may be used for any of the preceding words.

has her own way of doing things

In what contexts can fashion take the place of way?

Although the words fashion and way have much in common, fashion may suggest a peculiar or characteristic way of doing something.

rushing about in his typical fashion

How are the words manner and mode related as synonyms of way?

Manner is close to mode but may imply a procedure or method that is individual or distinctive.

an odd manner of conducting

When would method be a good substitute for way?

The synonyms method and way are sometimes interchangeable, but method implies an orderly logical arrangement usually in steps.

effective teaching methods

Where would mode be a reasonable alternative to way?

The words mode and way are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mode implies an order or course followed by custom, tradition, or personal preference.

the preferred mode of transportation

When might system be a better fit than way?

In some situations, the words system and way are roughly equivalent. However, system suggests a fully developed or carefully formulated method often emphasizing rational orderliness.

a filing system

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 way
Noun
No, everybody should find their own way to become original. —Erin Jensen, USA Today, 2 May 2025 The practice is a way of acknowledging those who reach out to wish them well for the occasion. —Stephanie Petit, People.com, 2 May 2025
Adverb
But, in general, humans are probably way less precise and consistent than scientists have generally considered them. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 May 2025 The grand opening ceremony for the National Medal of Honor Museum went way beyond just a ribbon-cutting. —Stephen Humphries, Christian Science Monitor, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for way
Recent Examples of Synonyms for way
  1. road
  2. habit
  3. path
  4. tendency
  5. room
  6. route
  7. approach
  8. doorway
Noun
  • There are at least some echoes of the ultra-hyper violent God of War, the famed video game series, and that is getting a live-action adaptation on Amazon Prime Video down the road.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • Armed with a clear shot of the getaway car’s license plate, authorities found the Ford Escape two days later, set ablaze on the side of a road in Palmdale.
    — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2025
Definition of road
Noun
  • Consider that in-person work might be a feature, not just a bug, promoting habits that ultimately deliver better physical and mental health outcomes that improve your life.
    — John Gallucci Jr, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
  • Department stores, mall staples and specialty brands are all among those either trimming locations or shutting down entirely as part of ongoing shifts in consumer shopping habits and corporate restructuring efforts.
    — Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Definition of habit
Noun
  • But with the Civil War, the hopes and dreams of the Declaration of Independence were put on the path to fulfillment and America’s best years were unleashed.
    — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 May 2025
  • While embarking on mission to avenge Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal), the duo cross paths with a dangerous militant faction known as the Washington Liberation Front (W.L.F.) led by Isaac (Jeffrey Wright).
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 11 May 2025
Definition of path
Noun
  • Recent climate modeling results suggest that changes in annual precipitation in Florida will likely be modest, within about 10% of current average, with a tendency for wetter conditions in the northern part of the state and lesser precipitation in the south.
    — Bob Maliva, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025
  • Plus, no matter who's involved, humans have a natural tendency to pay close attention to danger and threats, especially if those threats have lurked without detection for so long.
    — Charles Trepany, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Definition of tendency
Noun
  • Baker recommends styling solid color rugs in a tone-on-tone manner, matching the rugs to the wallpaper or furniture in a room.
    — Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2025
  • The hour and a half St John spent in the company of Glazer in a New York hotel room was curious for the fact that there were few discernible traces that the man proposing the book was a billionaire.
    — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 11 May 2025
Definition of room
Noun
  • Taking a bus or driving the 435-mile route is also an option.
    — Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
  • Originally Published: May 12, 2025 at 3:55 PM EDT Most Popular Most Popular Property of the week: Striking historic home along the Connecticut river Parking crunch looms at major CT airport amid route expansion.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2025
Definition of route
Noun
  • Shifting financial burdens to states is a general theme of the document, an approach that will ultimately hit the poorest states hardest, even though these had very high percentages of Trump voters.
    — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025
  • While a streamlined approach to the extraction shooter genre from the studio behind Halo and Destiny sounds like a recipe for casual and hardcore gamer gold, the execution leaves all the hype behind.
    — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2025
Definition of approach
Noun
  • Seal with Caulking Caulking is usually found around windows, sinks, bathtubs, showers, and doorways.
    — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2025
  • These present us with a doorway into the lives of some of those who came to be called Forty-Niners.
    — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of doorway

Phrases Containing way

Browse Nearby Words

waxy
way
wayfarer
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Cite this Entry

“Way.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/way. Accessed 15 May. 2025.

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