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way things are

NOUN
condition
Synonyms
STRONGEST
action case plight position quality situation status
STRONG
ballgame estate happening mode order posture predicament rank repair reputation riff scene shape sphere spot standing state trim
WEAK
how it goes how things are how things stack up lay of the land like it is size of it state of affairs status quo way things shape up where it's at

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Is that the way things are in a small town?

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Palace have won away at Manchester United in the past two seasons but, the way things are going for both teams, you'd only ever go for a home win here.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026

Let’s just say they might run out of room the way things are going.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 25, 2026

Chip Wilson isn’t happy with the way things are going at Lululemon Athletica, including the stock’s 40% drop in the past year.

From Barron's • Oct. 21, 2025

It’s just the way things are around here.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

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