EXTERNAL Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

external

adjective

ek-ˈstər-nᵊl

Definition of external

as in extrinsic

not being a vital part of or belonging to something the defendant's socioeconomic status must be regarded as entirely external to his guilt or innocence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in outer

situated on the outside or farther out the external chambers of the ancient tomb gave little indication of the magnificence of the innermost chamber

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of external Partner with an independent external auditor or evaluator to carry out independent assessments of whether the controls, monitoring, and detection are operating as intended. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 29 Sep. 2026 Amanda Martin, who joined the lobbying org in 2023, was promoted to svp, external affairs while Erin Von Hoetzendorff, who has been with Cinema United since 2018, will be promoted to vp, membership and global affairs. — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026 After 30 days, the data will be removed from the vendor Flock Safety's platform, giving police exclusive control of the data and preventing external access, the Mayor's Office said. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026 This approach has a major flaw when the external environment and business needs fundamentally change. — Erik Clarke, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for external

Recent Examples of Synonyms for external

Adjective

Educational psychology provides a useful framework for understanding this phenomenon through the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.

— Jason Benedict, Fortune, 7 July 2026
Extrinsic rewards, such as grades, do so because extrinsic desires tend to crowd out intrinsic ones.

— David Brooks, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026

Definition of extrinsic

Adjective

By the time of the witch trial, the sacred building stood stripped of its roofing and outer masonry—a fleshless skeleton; its giant west window glassless, miming a stone scream.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Her bangs are especially long and wispy, and get gradually longer towards the outer corners.

— Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of outer

Adjective

Over the past half century, Americans have grown accustomed to regional conflicts fought by specialized professional troops, in which the support of Congress or the American public seems more or less irrelevant.

— Beverly Gage, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Lamont dismissed Stefanowski’s private-sector record at GE, UBS and the payday lender, DFC Global, as irrelevant, at least compared to a public record.

— Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of irrelevant

Adjective

Well, there's not even a vague allusion to a second bed option, and the Ranger has the exact same 219-cm (86-in) exterior ride height as the Adventure.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026
The gussets get a bit of structure with interior and exterior pockets that close with magnets, which gives you somewhere to put your keys day-to-day.

— Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of exterior

Adjective

McGovern lost, Obama won—but Obama won the presidency without transforming the Democratic foreign-policy class.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
In other words, Yemen and the Houthis may seem like yet another distant problem to Americans, many of whom are understandably fatigued by foreign interventions, and struggling with a spiraling cost of living.

— Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026