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

Relevance
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

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

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
One could be forgiven in thinking, then, that Lamborghini has even more SUVs on the way. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2025 Keep your iron clamped all the way down the length of your hair. —Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 8 Apr. 2025
Adverb
The market understands that Trump is way out over his skis on this, and is going to send him a message this week hammering that home (S&P flirting with bear market territory this morning). —John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025 Hiromi and Feraud coyly dialogued in the same movement: Feraud strummed way up the neck of his electric bass, and Hiromi, ever witty, mimicked him by flicking the strings of her Yamaha concert grand. —Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 5 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
  • Electric cars hit the roads and smart phones hit the stores.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The Chubs had a long road to this seemingly happy ending.
    — Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of road
Noun
  • Adopt or maintain healthy habits: Stress and illness can trigger allergic asthma.
    — Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Through adapting to changing work cultures and embracing healthier work habits, professionals can create a more fulfilling and sustainable balance between work and life.
    — Raquel Gomes, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of habit
Noun
  • While inflation cooled in March, reaching a six-month low, the path has been uneven, and Powell has faced criticism from both the left and the right over whether the Fed acted too slowly—or too aggressively.
    — Nik Popli, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
  • They are already scheduled to appear before the board on June 13 as part of a comprehensive risk assessment report ordered by Newsom, who is considering the brothers’ clemency request – a separate potential path out of prison.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of path
Noun
  • According to Limon-Rocha, various life stressors—such as starting a new school, being bullied, losing a beloved pet, or having a family member with health issues—can all trigger perfectionist tendencies.
    — Sherri Gordon, Parents, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The tendency in the forecast has been for the front to set up across southeast portions of the Kansas City forecast area.
    — Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of tendency
Noun
  • The Bills and White agreed to terms Thursday on a one-year deal to bolster the depth of the cornerback room, a league source said.
    — Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2025
  • People were most commonly (75 percent) found to keep their indoor plants in the living room, followed by the kitchen (54 percent) and bedroom (50 percent).
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of room
Noun
  • American military veteran hijacks plane in Belize, officials say The airplane, which had only 14 passengers on board, had been due to fly the short route from Corozal near the Mexican border to San Pedro, a popular tourist destination off the coast.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Amanda McPherson, 38, and Johnathon McPherson, 27, were caught when detectives discovered seemingly unrelated cases of fraud shared the same postal routes, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office said in an April 17 news release.
    — Mark Price, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of route
Noun
  • As the deadline for Real ID approaches, many Americans are racing to secure the necessary identification for domestic air travel and access to federal buildings.
    — Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • In it, Blanche outlines a decentralized approach in which U.S. attorney’s offices will now take the lead on digital asset cases, focusing primarily on crimes involving terrorism.
    — MacKenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of approach
Noun
  • And yet, there are our two twisted redstone doorways.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The man can be seen lying in the doorway as the crowd applauds.
    — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of doorway

Phrases Containing way

Browse Nearby Words

waxy
way
wayfarer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Way.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/way. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on way

Nglish: Translation of way for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

'Blue Moon,' 'Wolf Moon,' and Other Moons to Look for Throughout the Year
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All