1
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
2
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
Engage external authorities Loop in law enforcement, including the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center (DC3).
—
Michael Barnhart, Fortune, 3 July 2025
Sargent, 69, said on a conference call a few days later that Kroger would conduct a national search for a successor and consider both internal and external candidates for the CEO position.
—Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025
Warm, stagnant water provides ideal conditions for cyanobacteria to thrive, especially when nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, often introduced from external sources, are present.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
Smaller fish could escape more easily, presenting an external pressure to remain smaller.
—Amber X. Chen, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for external
Michael Barnhart, Fortune, 3 July 2025
Sargent, 69, said on a conference call a few days later that Kroger would conduct a national search for a successor and consider both internal and external candidates for the CEO position.
—Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025
Warm, stagnant water provides ideal conditions for cyanobacteria to thrive, especially when nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, often introduced from external sources, are present.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
Smaller fish could escape more easily, presenting an external pressure to remain smaller.
—Amber X. Chen, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for external
Recent Examples of Synonyms for external
Adjective
-
Is your motivation for doing well extrinsic or intrinsic?—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
11 June 2025
-
It has been observed that extrinsic rewards can override intrinsic motivations over time.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
Unlike supernovas, which obliterate stars, novas are recurring events that only affect the outer layer of a white dwarf.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
When consumed regularly, this can contribute to dental erosion, where the outer protective layer of enamel is gradually worn away.14 Gatorade now offers a Zero Sugar Thirst Quencher, which has no sugar but the same amount of electrolytes as the original.—
Lindsey DeSoto,
Health,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
Geography becomes irrelevant when AI handles the grunt work.—
Steven Wolfe Pereira,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
-
Talking about Linux in this context is pretty irrelevant anyways, since the Xbox consoles run a variant of Windows.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
The exterior drop-in pockets keep larger items accessible, while the smaller interior pocket keeps valuables safe.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
6 July 2025
-
The best phone purses for travel This small crossbody bag has an exterior pocket meant to hold your phone and enough space for several smaller items, thanks to its zippered compartment.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
The influx of immigrants crossing our border under President Biden’s watch isn’t the first time the U.S. has hosted foreign nationals en masse.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
10 July 2025
-
About 30 domestic and foreign private equity firms in China have submitted non-binding offers for the coffee chain's Chinese business, sources familiar with the deal told CNBC.—
Nur Hikmah Md Ali,
CNBC,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
In Albertus’s account, population growth appears as a largely extraneous trigger for the Great Reshuffle, requiring little explanation.—
Michael Albertus,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
-
That allows the bill to pass with only GOP support in a Senate with 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats, but under reconciliation every aspect of the bill must meet strict criteria that prohibit extraneous provisions that don't directly impact the federal budget.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
Lauren Heller Since Sagittarians are willing to try anything once, the Fire sign resembles Lauren's adventitious persona.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
31 Mar. 2025
-
The patchy and adventitious quality of Jameson’s reconstruction must make clear his difference as a thinker.—
Mark Greif,
Harper's Magazine,
26 July 2024
Adjective
-
Most hot-car deaths are accidental Being stressed can increase your likelihood of memory lapses that lead to leaving your child in a car, according to a prominent cognitive neuroscience expert who has researched the function of memory in such tragedies.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
-
Her manner of death was determined to be accidental.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“External.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/external. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share