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
Martin Kimel, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2025
Plans called for the second stage to be placed in a safe condition to stay in a high, out-of-the-way orbit in accordance with NASA’s practices for minimizing space junk.
—Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
And while the puzzles and side-quests can feel a bit basic at times, there are enough hidden trinkets in out-of-the-way corners to encourage completionists to explore every inch of the game's intricately detailed open-world environments.
—Ars Technica, 22 Dec. 2024
Besides the occasional random spider that scuttles indoors, some spiders can live in out-of-the-way spots in your home, such as along ceilings or in basements and behind clutter.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for out-of-the-way
Adjective
And the Shoah wasn’t confined to one out-of-the-way place named Oświęcim, such that bystanders didn’t know what was happening.
—Martin Kimel, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2025
Plans called for the second stage to be placed in a safe condition to stay in a high, out-of-the-way orbit in accordance with NASA’s practices for minimizing space junk.
—Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
And while the puzzles and side-quests can feel a bit basic at times, there are enough hidden trinkets in out-of-the-way corners to encourage completionists to explore every inch of the game's intricately detailed open-world environments.
—Ars Technica, 22 Dec. 2024
Besides the occasional random spider that scuttles indoors, some spiders can live in out-of-the-way spots in your home, such as along ceilings or in basements and behind clutter.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for out-of-the-way
Recent Examples of Synonyms for out-of-the-way
Adjective
-
Continue reading … 'THIS IS SO CRAZY' – DOGE reveals bizarre findings of unemployment insurance claims.—
FOXNews.com,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
This seemingly bizarre combination took Sellitto by surprise in the best way possible.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In an unusual coincidence, Saldivar was denied parole on Thursday, the same day as Lopez's announcement.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Cruise cancellations are relatively unusual but can happen for a number of other reasons, including when a ship is chartered or needs to go to dry dock.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
So what explains this strange little sequence by the side of the pitch?—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
-
The unique role required a performer who could pass as young as age 7 and as old as 22 — a strange consequence of the real case that inspired the series.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
To be fair, government tech projects are complicated, and overruns aren’t uncommon.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Addressed an issue where all horse saddles were uncommon.—
Oliver Brandt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The whole thing, from the player’s point of view, must be deeply weird.—
Rory Smith,
New York Times,
3 Apr. 2025
-
That definitely comes out of my work on Freud—and, in a weird way, René Girard, who’s anti-Freudian, but there’s a lot in common.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
His being handsome, funny and not known for comedy was a real asset.—
Rosa Escandon,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
-
And makes a funny joke about giving Glenn Close an Oscar.—
Andy Hoglund,
EW.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
His best by far came off an odd-man rush where Suzuki shot to create a rebound for Cole Caufield.—
Omar White,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
-
People had called, but Tommy wouldn’t answer — odd for a man Maryanne often chastised for taking too many calls at the dinner table.—
Kristina Goetz,
USA Today,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The exemptions were a rare piece of good news for the battered financial markets, and U.S. stocks closed higher Monday.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2025
-
By 1815, machine breaking had become rare, but the plight of the artisans remained dire.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 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 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share