within

adverb

with·in | \ wi-ˈt͟hin

Definition of within

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 : in or into the interior : inside

2 : in one's inner thought, disposition, or character : inwardly search within for a creative impulse— Kingman Brewster †1988

within

preposition

Definition of within (Entry 2 of 4)

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 markwithin a mile of the town

3 : to the inside of : into sunk the sea within the earth— William Shakespeare

within

noun

Definition of within (Entry 3 of 4)

: an inner place or area revolt from within

within

adjective

Definition of within (Entry 4 of 4)

: being inside : enclosed the within indictment

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about within

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Synonyms & Antonyms for within

Synonyms: Noun

innards, inside, interior

Antonyms: Noun

exterior, outside

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 Web: Adverb

Tanner Krebs scored 12 points on four 3-pointers — all in the first half — while Emmett Naar had eight assists to pull within 18 of the school's career record while helping the Gaels (22-2, 11-0 West Coast Conference) to their 17th consecutive win. — USA TODAY, "Landale has 26 in No. 13 Saint Mary's 79-43 win over USF," 2 Feb. 2018 By early September, internal numbers from McBath’s campaign had her within 2 points of Handel. — P.r. Lockhart, Vox, "6 years ago her son was murdered. Now Lucy McBath is heading to Congress.," 8 Nov. 2018 Back-to-back bogeys by Frodigh in combination with a pair of pars by Parziale enabled the reigning MassAm champ to pull within two with three holes remaining. — Mia Berry, BostonGlobe.com, "Defending MassAm champion Matt Parziale falls in quarters," 12 July 2018 Milwaukee scored twice in the eighth to pull within 4-3, and with the Brewers down to their final strike, Christian Yelich and Ryan Braun took Dominic Leone deep on consecutive pitches for a wild, remarkable finish. — Jr Radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Ranking the Brewers' 14 walk-off wins against the St. Louis Cardinals," 25 June 2018 The Heat had rallied from a 21-point deficit to pull within seven when Belinelli sank his lone 3 of the game. — Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, "Belinelli hopes to rekindle magic in second stint with Spurs," 10 July 2018 The Yankees beat the Blue Jays on Saturday to improve to 10-9 and pull within six and one-half games of the Red Sox, who were beaten in a no-hitter in Oakland Saturday night. — Billy Witz, New York Times, "Gleyber Torres Is Joining the Yankees," 21 Apr. 2018 The diagonal beams are like a scaffold that holds in place the condominiums and offices and elevator stacks within. — John King, SFChronicle.com, "New nimble, frisky SoMa tower fits neatly into surroundings," 6 July 2018 The plaza was gated off for the occasion, leaving curious passersby straining for glimpses within, as the song's familiar riff kicked up again and again. — Brian Mccollum, Detroit Free Press, "'Amazing Race' films in Detroit; teams rappel down Guardian Building," 3 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The favorite that once left me with a lit-from-within glow came up flat after my dermatologist prescribed new medicine that left my skin drier than usual. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "365 Days of Foundation: How One Vogue Writer Finally Found a Perfect Match," 18 Apr. 2019 With more and more people opting for radiant, lit-from-within skin over a matte look, the beauty brand just launched a brand-new version of its beloved Translucent Loose Setting Powder fit for the current glow generation. — Devon Abelman, Allure, "Laura Mercier's Translucent Setting Powder Glow Is Perfect for People Who Want Glow-y Skin, But Hate Highlighter," 14 Aug. 2018 That's not to say there aren't products that melt into your skin to fake that dewy, lit-from-within look. — Glamour Beauty Editors, Glamour, "18 Genius Tips for Glowing Skin," 2 Aug. 2018 In the meantime, let Lopez's flawless, lit-from-within skin be your inspo to snag her products before they're gone. — Alex Warner, Marie Claire, "Jennifer Lopez Is Launching a 70-Piece Makeup Collection," 5 Apr. 2018 To accompany Lima’s body-hugging, shimmering gold Julien Macdonald dress, Ta dipped into a familiar palette of warm bronze shades from Maybelline, focusing on the Brazilian bombshell’s naturally lit-from-within glow and piercing blue gaze. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "How Adriana Lima Got Ready for the amfAR Gala in Cannes," 18 May 2018 Trying to make change from within was a slow process for Rodriguez, who said homophobia was rampant in the NYPD in the ‘80s. — NBC News, "Police at Pride? Gay cops, LGBTQ activists struggle to see eye-to-eye," 23 June 2018 Now that the Justice Department is in on this sabotage-from-within, there’s little hope that the Trump administration can ever be trusted to take principled stances in court anymore. — Cristian Farias, Daily Intelligencer, "On Obamacare, the Department of Justice Is Standing Against the Rule of Law," 8 June 2018 From creating a supercharged canvas to choosing an easy, melts-right-in formula, here, Sir John and other in-demand pros share their secrets for a flush-from-within finish. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, "The 4 Rules of Second-Skin Blush, According to Beyoncé’s Makeup Artist and More," 28 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

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, "Veronica Latsko's goal caps Dash's comeback win over Reign," 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, "This Splurge-Worthy Product Is the Secret Behind Zendaya, Emma Roberts, and Kate Upton’s Gorgeous Oscars Glow," 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, "Rockets fire their way past Hornets," 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, "From Egyptian Cats to Crime Scenes, Here’s a Preview of the Smithsonian’s Upcoming Shows," 8 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'within.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.