the way/ways of the world
noun phrase
: how things happen or how people behave
Success comes easier for some people. That's just the way of the world.
Because he was young and inexperienced in the ways of the world, people were able to take advantage of him.
Examples of the way/ways of the world in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Notebook was rooted in the soils of print, a monthly reflection on the ways of the world, intended to acquaint the magazine’s readers with the presuppositions of its editor.
—
Harper’s Magazine, Harper's Magazine, 2 Oct. 2024
After all, the way of the world is that children sit shivah for parents, not the reverse.
—Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
If your $10 lunch becomes $10.20 over the course of a year, well, that’s just the way of the world.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 16 Aug. 2024
Mirren's character Cara, an Irish immigrant, is similarly wise to the ways of the world.
—Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 12 Nov. 2022
See all Example Sentences for the way/ways of the world 
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.
Harper’s Magazine, Harper's Magazine, 2 Oct. 2024
After all, the way of the world is that children sit shivah for parents, not the reverse.
—Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
If your $10 lunch becomes $10.20 over the course of a year, well, that’s just the way of the world.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 16 Aug. 2024
Mirren's character Cara, an Irish immigrant, is similarly wise to the ways of the world.
—Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 12 Nov. 2022
See all Example Sentences for the way/ways of the world
Dictionary Entries Near the way/ways of the world
Cite this Entry
“The way/ways of the world.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20way%2Fways%20of%20the%20world. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share