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
Beyond the property, workshops with local artisans and visits to farms and vineyards are just some of the ways to pass your days. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026 Now Sherrod must find a way to turn around a program that went 3-7 in 2025 and hasn’t had a winning season since 2018. — Stan Awtrey, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Adverb
This matching skirt and top set looks way more expensive than its Amazon price tag suggests. — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026 Sure, there are way too many people asking for drawings of obscure anime characters that are nearly impossible to pull off with the bare-bones MS-Paint-like tool in two-and-a-half minutes. — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 15 Aug. 2026 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
  • This is a sophisticated, adaptive, three-chamber air suspension system that continuously adjusts to road topography and driving style.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Parts of the road broke off and some were evacuated from their homes.
    — John Tufts, IndyStar, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of road
Noun
  • Peacock ginger has attractive foliage and similar growth habits to hostas.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Many everyday lawn care habits can unintentionally harm your grass.
    — Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of habit
Noun
  • The Road Ahead Stripe has agreed to buy a position in the path where AI money moves, and the price says the market now values that position above much of the traffic crossing it.
    — Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Reynolds has been crafty on the base paths, recording nine steals on nine attempts.
    — Data Skrive, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of path
Noun
  • Green Lantern stories can have a tendency to lean too far into the sc-fi angle, which can alienate a lot of non-hardcore fans.
    — Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Maynard also commends the company for its presentation of the result, in light of AI’s tendency to copy humans’ mathematical results and present them as its own ideas.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of tendency
Noun
  • Rooms There are just 13 rooms, each quietly refined with a riverside color palette and floor-to-ceiling windows.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The attack caused damage to the engine room and resulted in a crew casualty, the maritime agency said, adding that the remaining crew were being assisted by the Omani Coast Guard.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of room
Noun
  • The other four switched off their tracking transponders to avoid detection so their route is unknown.
    — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Quarterback Tommy DeVito looked to him on a go route on the very next play, but Williams didn’t cut back inside for the ball, which appeared to frustrate Vrabel on the sideline.
    — Chad Graff, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of route
Noun
  • Bessent described a two-pronged approach featuring financial pressure and a physical blockade of Islamic republic's ports.
    — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In a special Open Thoughts podcast held in Korea, where YoungBoy now lives, host Funny Marco (known for his deadpan approach) asked if there was ever a time during his early performances that the artist felt like pulling back.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of approach
Noun
  • Once created, these assemblages might be concealed beneath doorways or in chimneys or instead worn on the body as a form of portable protection.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The new space also features two unisex restrooms with open doorways in which the sinks can be seen from the hallway.
    — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
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 20 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of way for Spanish Speakers

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