We don’t just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.
Source: tatoeba (3656834)
Alleyways
/ˈæ.li.weɪz/
Synonyms for "alleyways" (6 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: alley, back alley, laneway, laneway network, passage network.
- Sentence evidence is available for alleyways, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from opengloss.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "alleyways".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "alleyways"
Keep "alleyways" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "alleyways" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "alleyways", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "alleyways" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
3 entriesMore specific
8 entriesback alleyblind alleycourtyard alleydark alleyhistoric alleyloading dock alleymarket alleyservice alley
Collocations
6 entriesalleyway networkback alleyhistoric alleynarrow alleyservice alleyurban alley
Sample sentences
6 total sentences available.
Robert was a bearded, black-haired Jewish manager in the Japanese software company. He introduced me into the company. He teased me about liking to eat colourful ice cream parfaits there in Tokyo. We together liked to hike the eerie, but fascinating alleyways there. Unfortunately, he cut his job term short because he had to go back to Washington State to marry his Chinese girlfriend. I attended his wedding in Seattle. I was a bit late because I mis-estimated the time to get there driving from the BC border. Robert bought a brand-new house.
Source: tatoeba (10589708)
A bell tower overlooks the picturesque lanes and alleyways of the medieval heart of the city.
Source: tatoeba (10821887)
I remember that Venice was like a labyrinth full of old alleyways and canals.
Source: tatoeba (11011324)
Showing 4 of 6 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "alleyways"?
Closest matches include alley, back alley, laneway, laneway network, passage network.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "alleyways"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.