do without

phrasal verb

did without; done without; doing without; does without
: to not have (something) : to live, work, etc., without having (something)
If you can't afford a new car, you'll just have to do without (one).
I don't know how we ever did without computers.
can/could do without is often used to say that one does not like or approve of something
I enjoy traveling, but I can do without having to wait around in crowded airports.
He was late again. That's the kind of selfish behavior I could do without.

Examples of do without in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Work gets done without constant oversight. Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025 But if not, the Red Sox may have to make do without Abreu for a bit longer. Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025 Nuclear plants require uranium – and according to the UN nuclear watchdog, no other country has the kind of uranium that Iran currently does without also having a nuclear weapons program. Jennifer Hansler, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025 YouTube will offer creators the ability to opt-out of recent enhancements after creators expressed concerns changes were being done without their permission or knowledge. Christian Orozco, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for do without

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Cite this Entry

“Do without.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/do%20without. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.

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