outlying 🔊
Meaning of outlying
Situated far from the center or main area; remote or distant.
Key Difference
While 'outlying' refers to being distant from a central point, its synonyms may emphasize different aspects such as isolation, accessibility, or adjacency.
Example of outlying
- The outlying villages had limited access to healthcare facilities.
- The research team studied the outlying regions of the Amazon rainforest.
Synonyms
remote 🔊
Meaning of remote
Located far away; distant in space or time.
Key Difference
'Remote' emphasizes greater distance and often implies difficulty in reaching, whereas 'outlying' simply denotes being outside the main area.
Example of remote
- The remote island was uninhabited for centuries.
- She works from a remote cabin in the mountains.
peripheral 🔊
Meaning of peripheral
Relating to or situated on the edge or periphery of something.
Key Difference
'Peripheral' suggests being on the outer boundary, while 'outlying' implies being separate and distant from the center.
Example of peripheral
- The peripheral neighborhoods were less developed than the city center.
- The discussion touched on peripheral issues but didn't address the core problem.
distant 🔊
Meaning of distant
Far away in space or time.
Key Difference
'Distant' is more general and can refer to time or relationships, while 'outlying' specifically refers to physical location relative to a center.
Example of distant
- The distant sound of thunder warned of the approaching storm.
- They maintained a distant relationship after their disagreement.
isolated 🔊
Meaning of isolated
Far away from other places, buildings, or people; remote.
Key Difference
'Isolated' emphasizes being cut off or alone, while 'outlying' simply describes position without necessarily implying isolation.
Example of isolated
- The isolated farmhouse had no neighbors for miles.
- Patients with contagious diseases were kept in isolated wards.
far-flung 🔊
Meaning of far-flung
Distributed over a large area; widespread or remote.
Key Difference
'Far-flung' often implies being scattered over a wide area, while 'outlying' refers to being outside a central location.
Example of far-flung
- The company has far-flung operations across three continents.
- He traveled to the far-flung corners of the earth in search of rare species.
out-of-the-way 🔊
Meaning of out-of-the-way
Remote or secluded; not frequently visited or traveled.
Key Difference
'Out-of-the-way' suggests being off the main routes, while 'outlying' is more neutral about accessibility.
Example of out-of-the-way
- They discovered an out-of-the-way café that few tourists knew about.
- The cabin was deliberately built in an out-of-the-way location.
frontier 🔊
Meaning of frontier
A region at the edge of a settled area.
Key Difference
'Frontier' implies a boundary between known and unknown areas, while 'outlying' doesn't carry this connotation of exploration.
Example of frontier
- The frontier towns were often lawless places.
- Space exploration represents the new frontier for humanity.
exurban 🔊
Meaning of exurban
Relating to or characteristic of a region or settlement outside a city and its suburbs.
Key Difference
'Exurban' specifically refers to areas beyond suburbs, while 'outlying' can refer to any distant area relative to a center.
Example of exurban
- Exurban development has led to increased traffic in formerly rural areas.
- Many exurban communities struggle with infrastructure needs.
backcountry 🔊
Meaning of backcountry
Remote or sparsely populated rural areas.
Key Difference
'Backcountry' specifically refers to rural, often undeveloped areas, while 'outlying' can apply to any type of distant area.
Example of backcountry
- The backcountry trails were known only to local hunters.
- They spent a week hiking through the backcountry of Yellowstone.
Conclusion
- 'Outlying' is best used when describing areas or locations that are distant from a central point but still connected to it in some way.
- 'Remote' can be used when emphasizing the difficulty of access or the great distance involved.
- Use 'peripheral' when discussing areas on the outer edges of a central region, especially when contrasting with core areas.
- 'Distant' works well when referring to both physical and metaphorical separation.
- 'Isolated' should be chosen when the emphasis is on being cut off or alone rather than simply distant.
- 'Far-flung' is ideal for describing things that are widely scattered across large distances.
- 'Out-of-the-way' perfectly captures places that are deliberately or incidentally off the beaten path.
- Reserve 'frontier' for areas that represent boundaries between settled and unsettled regions.
- 'Exurban' is the technical term for areas beyond suburbs but not fully rural.
- 'Backcountry' evokes images of rugged, sparsely populated rural areas, often with wilderness characteristics.