Definition of externalnext
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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 In addition to the external investigation, the Gwinnett County Police Department conducted its own internal policy review focused on Officer Green's actions. Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 25 June 2026 The investigators determined that external factors such as nearby construction, sinkholes, and hurricanes or storm surges did not contribute to the building’s failure. Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026 So do private builders, who are facing external challenges like the high cost of labor and supplies. Stephan Bisaha, NPR, 23 June 2026 The outside hasn't changed much since 2022, but inside the graphics performance is way better thanks to the M5, and there's now support for up to two external monitors. Simon Hill, Wired News, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for external
Recent Examples of Synonyms for external
Adjective
  • She was medically excused from the 2020 WNBA season held amid the COVID-19 pandemic due to extrinsic asthma, then returned to the league with the Washington Mystics in 2021.
    Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 7 May 2026
  • Anyone that wanted to reserve time in the July 19 final was beholden to a full-tourney pledge of as much as $30 million, although your mileage will vary based on any number of extrinsic variables.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • During totality, daylight fades into twilight, temperatures drop, bright planets appear, and the sun’s delicate outer atmosphere — the corona — becomes visible to the naked eye.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • After Daley returned, Donovan’s office was moved from the mayor’s outer offices to the inner offices, just a few feet from Daley’s private quarters.
    Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • To me that’s irrelevant in terms of this storytelling.
    K.J. Yossman, Variety, 21 June 2026
  • Whether the governmental entity later does anything with the complaint (here, the Board did not) is irrelevant.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • Aldean also shared a tropical moment with country singer husband Jason Aldean outside a building featuring a bright blue exterior wall.
    Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
  • As contemporary home designs fade the visual bounds between interior and exterior, design pros are calling on lighting designers to illuminate their clients’ landscapes, with schemes that provide everything from safety to spectacle.
    Kelly Ryan Kegans, Architectural Digest, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • Earlier this month, Anthropic disabled customer access to both Mythos and Fable to comply with the US government’s order to suspend all use by foreign nationals — including Anthropic employees themselves.
    Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 27 June 2026
  • Rothrock said there is no specific type of offender, such as a foreign visitor unaware of American laws.
    Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • Stripping out every extraneous expense, Vrotsos picked a start date and just began shooting.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 19 June 2026
  • In my case, just about all of it appeared to be extraneous documentation, like incorporation paperwork for Sackler’s firm, which seemed irrelevant to the matter at hand.
    Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • Although individual plants have a lifespan of 30-90 years, adventitious shoots grow up from roots.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 5 July 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
  • Always turn off the electricity and water supply line and remove nearby light fixtures when dealing with bursting ceiling pipes to avoid accidental electrocution.
    Helen Andriatsitohaina, The Spruce, 24 June 2026
  • In fact, the two met via an accidental Instagram follow.
    Kaitlyn Harvey, AJC.com, 24 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“External.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/external. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.

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