within

adverb

with·in | \ wi-ˈt͟hin ,

-ˈthin

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

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 Squires made a tough birdie putt on 12 to win his first hole and pull within one. — James Weber, Cincinnati.com, "Mariemont grad Will Grimmer continues hot summer with Met golf championship," 1 July 2018 In game two, West Boynton was up by five runs in the fifth inning when Boca Raton battled back with four runs to pull within 5-4 as Griffin Smith, Devin Willis, Joseph Barber, and Jamie Valdez all crossed home plate. — Gary Curreri, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Boca Raton Senior All-Stars rally to district title in best-of-3 series," 30 June 2018 Kolby Weedon stopped the Bulls’ momentum briefly with an extra-man free-position goal to pull within six, but the Bulls answered with four more goals. — Katherine Dunn, baltimoresun.com, "Big second half sparks No. 14 Hereford past Catonsville, 15-4, for Baltimore County girls lacrosse title," 5 May 2018 The Generals did make some noise in the fifth inning, scoring five runs on a two-run double by junior Mark Roselli and RBI singles from Daniel Tobin, Paul Horgan, and Eli Leonard to pull within 7-5. — Chris Bokum, BostonGlobe.com, "Archbishop Williams, Needham reach state baseball finals," 20 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

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 Shows this big often rely on grandeur and inaccessibility as a kind of cudgel, but for Lorde, dismantling those things to reveal the person within is the real weapon. — Jon Caramanica, New York Times, "Review: In a Big Room, Lorde Protects the Small Moments," 5 Apr. 2018 After all, if the two-hour Technicolor treatment is ripe for Instagram, consider the post-session snap of a lit-from-within, lifted complexion pure social media gold. — Zoe Ruffner, Vogue, "This 2-Hour Skin Treatment is the Ultimate Spring Reboot—and It’s Going Viral," 30 Mar. 2018 Getting quiet within is key to being able to hear instincts. — Redbook, "17 Signs You're In an Unhappy — Or Loveless — Marriage," 20 Dec. 2017 To many within and beyond the faith community, these preachers’ claims raise eyebrows. — Jonathan Wilson-hartgrove, Time, "Why Evangelicals Support President Trump, Despite His Immorality," 16 Feb. 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.