with

preposition

ˈwit͟h How to pronounce with (audio) ˈwith How to pronounce with (audio)
wət͟h,
wəth
1
a
: in opposition to : against
had a fight with his brother
b
: so as to be separated or detached from
broke with her family
2
a
used as a function word to indicate a participant in an action, transaction, or arrangement
works with his father
a talk with a friend
got into an accident with the car
b
used as a function word to indicate the object of attention, behavior, or feeling
get tough with him
angry with her
c
: in respect to : so far as concerns
on friendly terms with all nations
d
used to indicate the object of an adverbial expression of imperative force
off with his head
e
: over, on
no longer has any influence with them
f
: in the performance, operation, or use of
the trouble with this machine
3
a
used as a function word to indicate the object of a statement of comparison or equality
a dress identical with her hostess's
b
used as a function word to express agreement or sympathy
must conclude, with you, that the painting is a forgery
c
: on the side of : for
if he's for lower taxes, I'm with him
d
: as well as
can pitch with the best of them
4
a
used as a function word to indicate combination, accompaniment, presence, or addition
heat milk with honey
went there with her
his money, with his wife's, comes to a million
b
: inclusive of
costs $5 with the tax
5
a
: in the judgment or estimation of
stood well with her classmates
b
: in or according to the experience or practice of
with many of us, our ideas seem to fall by the waysideW. J. Reilly
6
a
used as a function word to indicate the means, cause, agent, or instrumentality
hit him with a rock
pale with anger
threatened with tuberculosis
he amused the crowd with his antics
b
archaic : by the direct act of
7
a
used as a function word to indicate manner of action
ran with effort
acknowledge your contribution with thanks
b
used as a function word to indicate an attendant fact or circumstance
stood there with his hat on
c
used as a function word to indicate a result attendant on a specified action
got off with a light sentence
8
a(1)
: in possession of : having
came with good news
(2)
: in the possession or care of
left the money with her mother
b
: characterized or distinguished by
a person with a sharp nose
9
a
used as a function word to indicate a close association in time
with the outbreak of war they went home
mellows with time
b
: in proportion to
the pressure varies with the depth
10
a
: in spite of : notwithstanding
a really tip-top man, with all his wrongheadednessH. J. Laski
b
: except for
finds that, with one group of omissions and one important addition, they reflect that curriculumGilbert Highet
11
: in the direction of
with the wind
with the grain

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you end a sentence with with?

You may end a sentence with "with," provided you are willing to listen to people tell you that you should not have ended it with a preposition. There is nothing inherently wrong about ending a sentence with a preposition, and never has been.

Is with a preposition?

Yes, with is a preposition ("a function word that typically combines with a noun phrase to form a phrase which usually expresses a modification or predication"). Although with previously functioned as an adverb and a conjunction, it has not done so for many centuries, and these uses are now quite obsolete.

Can you begin a sentence with with?

One occasionally hears that sentences should not begin with with. There have been many attempts to categorize many words in English as improper to place at the beginning of a sentence. These "rules" are simply a matter of individual preference, not of grammatical correctness. You may begin a sentence with with.

Examples of with in a Sentence

He wants to marry someone with a lot of money. You will be competing against people with more experience than you. They graduated from college with honors.
Recent Examples on the Web Produced by Amazon, SPT and Curio Pictures, the show will go out on the streamer in Australia/New Zealand and Canada, with SPT selling the rest of the world. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2024 The large broadcasting groups still only generate around 30% of total hours of production while independent companies are responsible for the rest, with smaller independent companies supplying 56%. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for with 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'with.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, against, from, with, from Old English; akin to Old English wither against, Old High German widar against, back, Sanskrit vi apart

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of with was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near with

Cite this Entry

“With.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/with. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

with

preposition
1
a
: in opposition to : against
fought with his sister
b
: from sense 2
parting with friends
2
: in shared relation to
talking with a friend
trade with other countries
3
: in regard to : toward
angry with her
on friendly terms with all nations
4
a
: compared to
on equal terms with the others
b
: on the side of
voted with the majority
c
: as well as
I can debate with the best of them
5
a
: in the judgment or opinion of
it's all right with me
b
: in the experience or practice of
with them a promise is a real duty
6
a
: by means of
write with a pen
b
: because of
danced with joy
7
: having or showing as a manner of action or an accompanying fact
spoke with vigor
stood there with my hat on
8
a
: in possession of : having
animals with horns
b
: marked by
a person with a hot temper
9
a
: in the company of
went to the movies with us
b
: having or including as a part
costs $5 with the tax
tea with lemon
10
a
: at the same time as
rose with the sun
b
: in proportion to
the pressure varies with the depth
11
: in the possession or care of
left the money with your mother
12
: in spite of
with all her cleverness, she failed
13
: in the direction of
cut with the grain of the fabric

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