as in isolated
far away from the center of a place
The family lives in an outlying area of the city. the country's outlying islands
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Recent Examples of outlying
The People’s Liberation Army could attempt to seize Taiwan’s outlying islands or conduct a maritime blockade while its military arsenal makes the waters around Taiwan a no man’s land.
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Zack Cooper, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2025
Last month, Japan conducted a military exercise involving its air, ground and maritime branches across the country's main and outlying islands, as well as surrounding waters and airspace.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Vargas said the credit union has shifted based on where its customers are located, and like other large businesses in the Sacramento area, SAFE Credit Union has been watching the population grow in outlying parts of the metro area.
—Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Things have been heated before, of course, not least on Taiwan’s outlying islands, some of whom sit less than 2 miles from the PRC.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
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Recent Examples of Synonyms for outlying
Adjective
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The pair become isolated in a rundown Oklahoma motel room as discussions of conspiracy theories take place.—
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The gringos are coming, and Latour must shore up the diocese, trekking between isolated haciendas and pueblos with his quasi-spousal companion Father Vaillant.—
Adjective
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Some of the most popular options are larger beaches like Cala Granadella, Cala Portixol, and Cala Blanca, but Cala Sardinera and Cala del Francés are popular with locals for their secluded feel.—
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Alila Mayakoba, Playa del Carmen, Mexico Nature surrounds Alila Mayakoba, a secluded hotel situated on 60 acres of mangroves and freshwater canals in Riviera Maya.—
Cite this Entry
“Outlying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outlying. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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