1
—used as a function word to indicate enclosure or containment
2
—used as a function word to indicate situation or circumstance in the limits or compass of: such as
a
: before the end of
gone within a week
b(1)
: not beyond the quantity, degree, or limitations of
live within your income
(2)
: in or into the scope or sphere of
within the jurisdiction of the state
(3)
: in or into the range of
within reach
within sight
(4)
—used as a function word to indicate a specified difference or margin
came within two points of a perfect mark
within a mile of the town
3
: to the inside of : into
sunk the sea within the earth—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
: an inner place or area
revolt from within
Synonyms
Examples of within in a Sentence
Adverb
We could hear sounds coming from within.
The sign on the door says “Help Wanted: Inquire Within.”
We all try to appear strong and attempt to hide the scared little child within.
They were outwardly calm but nervous within.
Preposition
They live within the city limits.
We could hear sounds coming from within his apartment.
Reports from within the company indicate a change in policy.
Most students find a job within a year of graduating.
She made several friends within days of moving into her new apartment.
He entered the house, and within seconds, he was surrounded by children.
Everything I need is within a few miles of my apartment.
Noun
structural decay had started from within
Recent Examples on the WebStacy Ryburn, arkansasonline.com, 15 Apr. 2024
Last year saw the release of the first collaborative bottle, and while this year’s design looks very different the whiskey within is still classic Old No. 7.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024
This is a complex, dynamic region of hot, rarefied plasma—ionized gas—swirling and billowing in magnetic fields that emanate from deeper within, and being in the moon’s star-blocking shadow is by far the best time to see it.
—Popsci Staff, Popular Science, 27 Mar. 2024
Read the full Scorpio Daily Horoscope Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)
Going within?
—USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024
Before an injury took her out of the season, Tiler Peck, partnered by the scrupulous Tyler Angle, displayed a sweeping, unselfconscious musicality seemingly driven from deep within.
—Gia Kourlas, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024
Gunfire erupted from within and Mack fell at the front door after entering, the affidavit says.
—Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024
My brief time in East Africa has shown me that despite adversity, which can be found anywhere, hope comes from within and can illuminate the path toward a brighter future.
—The Sorenson Impact Institute, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
First, the notion that Taylor can promote someone from within and announce the deal right away is incorrect.
—Kelsey Conway, The Enquirer, 25 Jan. 2024
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 19 Apr. 2024
The company experienced success within a year and, inspired by his grandfather, Huston decided to build his own woodshop paradise.
—Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024
According Trout Unlimited, winter steelhead can spawn within days of entering freshwater tributaries.
—Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 18 Apr. 2024
In February, California's Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC), voted to close the remaining juvenile halls in LA within 60 days unless numerous changes were implemented.
—Linsey Davis, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2024
The plan would be required within 45 days of the bill being signed into law.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 18 Apr. 2024
She should be fitted with the cast within the next two days.
—Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 18 Apr. 2024
Fewer than 4 in 10 graduate with a degree within six years, compared with more than 6 in 10 other students.
—Jon Marcus, NPR, 18 Apr. 2024
This includes the slashing of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) departments, which are important stewards of ensuring diverse workforces within the industry.
—Chelsey Glasson, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2024
Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 23 June 2018
Cream blush will give you that lit-from-within glow.
—Annie Blay, Allure, 23 Nov. 2022
Fake a glow-from-within look with Neutrogena’s cult-favorite Hydro Boost serum.
—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE, 22 Nov. 2022
With the Reboot season finale hitting Hulu this week, EW caught up with Levitan (who previously created Modern Family) for a bookend Q&A about shows-within-shows, his hopes for season 2, and how his real life is starting to blend with the sitcom.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 25 Oct. 2022
Johnson is delicious in this scene, a perfect mix of bumbling and lit-from-within, but her performance crumbles like clay in the grasp of such a plodding script.
—Lauren Puckett-Pope, ELLE, 16 July 2022
For the lit-from-within glow, the Beauty Light Wand in Peachgasm was applied and set with Cheek to Chic powder blush in Pillow Talk, the brand's signature shade.
—Kirbie Johnson, Allure, 10 June 2022
Add a few swipes of this clean and buzzy highlighter from RMS Beauty to the high points of your face for an easy, glow-from-within look.
—Tiffany Dodson, Harper's BAZAAR, 21 Apr. 2022
Backlit blush is also a way into the shimmer blush trend that feels a little more toned down, and with zero chances of looking overly glittery—just lit-from-within.
—Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 18 Apr. 2022
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2022
Expecting both John Brown and Cole Beasley to have solid games in PPR formats is well within reason as QB Josh Allen could exploit the holes in the backend of the Jets’ defense.
—Frankie Taddeo, SI.com, 4 Sep. 2019
Despite scoring just four goals during that stretch, Wednesday's game stayed well within reach as the Dash found yet failed to convert solid opportunities until Mewis leveled the match.
—Glynn A. Hill, Houston Chronicle, 23 May 2018
The formula is available in seven super-flattering shades and can be worn alone, blended with foundation, or applied as a highlighter to give skin a dewy, lit-from-within appearance.
—Kathleen Mulpeter, Health.com, 5 Mar. 2018
While the Rockets continued to misfire, going 1 of 6 on 3s in the final three minutes of the half, the Hornets made enough free throws to stay within range as Walker sank a 3-pointer and four free throws to cut the lead to 10.
—Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle, 27 Oct. 2017
The works within are notable for their inventive use of negative space and intentional omissions, which goes to show that what isn’t present can often be just as affecting as what is.
—Ryan P. Smith, Smithsonian, 8 Sep. 2017
Adverb
Firefighters had to cut into the structure through layers of insulation and rubber to extinguish the fire that was smoldering within, Flood said.
—Stacy Ryburn, arkansasonline.com, 15 Apr. 2024
Last year saw the release of the first collaborative bottle, and while this year’s design looks very different the whiskey within is still classic Old No. 7.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024
This is a complex, dynamic region of hot, rarefied plasma—ionized gas—swirling and billowing in magnetic fields that emanate from deeper within, and being in the moon’s star-blocking shadow is by far the best time to see it.
—Popsci Staff, Popular Science, 27 Mar. 2024
Read the full Scorpio Daily Horoscope Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)
Going within?
—USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024
Before an injury took her out of the season, Tiler Peck, partnered by the scrupulous Tyler Angle, displayed a sweeping, unselfconscious musicality seemingly driven from deep within.
—Gia Kourlas, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024
Gunfire erupted from within and Mack fell at the front door after entering, the affidavit says.
—Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024
My brief time in East Africa has shown me that despite adversity, which can be found anywhere, hope comes from within and can illuminate the path toward a brighter future.
—The Sorenson Impact Institute, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
First, the notion that Taylor can promote someone from within and announce the deal right away is incorrect.
—Kelsey Conway, The Enquirer, 25 Jan. 2024
Preposition
As writer, Taub smartly avoids the facile men-against-women tropes and digs deeper into internal challenges within the movement and within the women as individuals.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 19 Apr. 2024
The company experienced success within a year and, inspired by his grandfather, Huston decided to build his own woodshop paradise.
—Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024
According Trout Unlimited, winter steelhead can spawn within days of entering freshwater tributaries.
—Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 18 Apr. 2024
In February, California's Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC), voted to close the remaining juvenile halls in LA within 60 days unless numerous changes were implemented.
—Linsey Davis, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2024
The plan would be required within 45 days of the bill being signed into law.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 18 Apr. 2024
She should be fitted with the cast within the next two days.
—Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 18 Apr. 2024
Fewer than 4 in 10 graduate with a degree within six years, compared with more than 6 in 10 other students.
—Jon Marcus, NPR, 18 Apr. 2024
This includes the slashing of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) departments, which are important stewards of ensuring diverse workforces within the industry.
—Chelsey Glasson, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2024
Noun
This revealed that the within-subjects standard deviation was on average nearly eight times higher than the corresponding between-subjects standard deviation.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 23 June 2018
Cream blush will give you that lit-from-within glow.
—Annie Blay, Allure, 23 Nov. 2022
Fake a glow-from-within look with Neutrogena’s cult-favorite Hydro Boost serum.
—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE, 22 Nov. 2022
With the Reboot season finale hitting Hulu this week, EW caught up with Levitan (who previously created Modern Family) for a bookend Q&A about shows-within-shows, his hopes for season 2, and how his real life is starting to blend with the sitcom.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 25 Oct. 2022
Johnson is delicious in this scene, a perfect mix of bumbling and lit-from-within, but her performance crumbles like clay in the grasp of such a plodding script.
—Lauren Puckett-Pope, ELLE, 16 July 2022
For the lit-from-within glow, the Beauty Light Wand in Peachgasm was applied and set with Cheek to Chic powder blush in Pillow Talk, the brand's signature shade.
—Kirbie Johnson, Allure, 10 June 2022
Add a few swipes of this clean and buzzy highlighter from RMS Beauty to the high points of your face for an easy, glow-from-within look.
—Tiffany Dodson, Harper's BAZAAR, 21 Apr. 2022
Backlit blush is also a way into the shimmer blush trend that feels a little more toned down, and with zero chances of looking overly glittery—just lit-from-within.
—Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 18 Apr. 2022
Adjective
Her beauty-from-within philosophy is bolstered by mindfulness, too.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2022
Expecting both John Brown and Cole Beasley to have solid games in PPR formats is well within reason as QB Josh Allen could exploit the holes in the backend of the Jets’ defense.
—Frankie Taddeo, SI.com, 4 Sep. 2019
Despite scoring just four goals during that stretch, Wednesday's game stayed well within reach as the Dash found yet failed to convert solid opportunities until Mewis leveled the match.
—Glynn A. Hill, Houston Chronicle, 23 May 2018
The formula is available in seven super-flattering shades and can be worn alone, blended with foundation, or applied as a highlighter to give skin a dewy, lit-from-within appearance.
—Kathleen Mulpeter, Health.com, 5 Mar. 2018
While the Rockets continued to misfire, going 1 of 6 on 3s in the final three minutes of the half, the Hornets made enough free throws to stay within range as Walker sank a 3-pointer and four free throws to cut the lead to 10.
—Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle, 27 Oct. 2017
The works within are notable for their inventive use of negative space and intentional omissions, which goes to show that what isn’t present can often be just as affecting as what is.
—Ryan P. Smith, Smithsonian, 8 Sep. 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'within.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near within
Cite this Entry
“Within.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/within. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
within
2 of 3 preposition1
: in or into the inner part of
within the house
2
: not beyond the bounds or limits of
within sight
within
3 of 3 noun
: an inner place or area
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