way of the world
How things are
Way of the world refers to how things typically happen in human society—the accepted customs, behaviors, and realities that people come to expect.
The phrase usually carries a tone of resigned acceptance: Corruption in politics? That's just the way of the world.
It often excuses or explains unpleasant truths as inevitable rather than changeable.
Total absence of doubt
- inescapableImpossible to avoid
- unavoidableImpossible to prevent
- unchangeableImpossible to modify
- immutableIncapable of being changed
fixed · irreversible · predetermined · unalterable · unstoppable · natural order · facts of life · given
Voluntary relinquishment of position
- realismAccepting things as they are
- pragmatismPractical problem-solving philosophy
- stoicismUncomplaining acceptance of difficulty
- acknowledgmentConfirmation of receipt
adaptation · compromise · tolerance · acquiescence · reconciliation · endurance · patience · detachment
Recurring sequences of events
- recurrenceReturn of something previous
- repetitionAct of redoing
- ebb and flowCyclical rise and decline
- rhythmPatterned stress and silence
pattern · seasons · rise and fall · flux · turns · vicissitudes · ups and downs · generations
Predetermined course of events
- providenceDivine protective care
- kismetPreordained future outcome
- fortuneWealth or destiny
- karmaSpiritual cause and effect
predestination · lot · chance · luck · stars · wheel of fortune · cosmic order · divine plan
Manner of conducting oneself
- psychologyStudy of mind, behavior
- sociologyStudy of human communities
- moralityRight and wrong principles
- instinctsInnate behavioral tendencies
self-interest · ambition · greed · power · corruption · folly · vanity · weakness
certainty
Total absence of doubt
- inescapableImpossible to avoid
- unavoidableImpossible to prevent
- unchangeableImpossible to modify
immutable · fixed · irreversible · predetermined · unalterable · unstoppable · natural order · facts of life · given · constant
resignation
Voluntary relinquishment of position
- realismAccepting things as they are
- pragmatismPractical problem-solving philosophy
- stoicismUncomplaining acceptance of difficulty
acknowledgment · adaptation · compromise · tolerance · acquiescence · reconciliation · endurance · patience · detachment · conformity
cycles
Recurring sequences of events
- recurrenceReturn of something previous
- repetitionAct of redoing
- ebb and flowCyclical rise and decline
rhythm · pattern · seasons · rise and fall · flux · turns · vicissitudes · ups and downs · generations · passing
destiny
Predetermined course of events
- providenceDivine protective care
- kismetPreordained future outcome
- fortuneWealth or destiny
karma · predestination · lot · chance · luck · stars · wheel of fortune · cosmic order · divine plan · meant to be
behavior
Manner of conducting oneself
- psychologyStudy of mind, behavior
- sociologyStudy of human communities
- moralityRight and wrong principles
instincts · self-interest · ambition · greed · power · corruption · folly · vanity · weakness · temptation
way of the worldidealism
Belief in noble principles
utopianism · perfectionism · romanticism · wishful thinking · pie in the sky
way of the worldanomaly
Departure from the expected
aberration · miracle · freak occurrence · fluke · once in a blue moon
way of the worlddivine order
God's arrangement of existence
kingdom of heaven · spiritual realm · transcendence · the eternal · celestial order
world, worlds, worldly, unworldly, worldliness, otherworldly, worldwide