EXTERNAL Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

external

adjective

ek-ˈstər-nᵊl

Definition of external

as in extrinsic

not being a vital part of or belonging to something the defendant's socioeconomic status must be regarded as entirely external to his guilt or innocence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Even the corner office landed near a 50-50 split between internal and external candidates for president and CEO. — Paul Davis, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026 All this is more moving when staged within the novels than when taken up as an external, reflexive attempt to dismantle plot and character. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026 The explosion was ultimately blamed on an O-ring that failed in one the shuttle’s solid rocket boosters, allowing a flame to pierce the external fuel tank. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026 The charges included conspiracy against the internal and external security of the state, forming or joining a terrorist organization and offenses related to attempts to change the form of the state. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for external

Recent Examples of Synonyms for external

Adjective

Educational psychology provides a useful framework for understanding this phenomenon through the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.

— Jason Benedict, Fortune, 7 July 2026
Extrinsic rewards, such as grades, do so because extrinsic desires tend to crowd out intrinsic ones.

— David Brooks, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026

Definition of extrinsic

Adjective

These moments of hormonal upheaval are linked to a rewiring of neural networks and reductions in the volume of the brain’s outer, wrinkly layer—called cortical gray matter—which plays a role in memory, reasoning and movement.

— Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2026
Spacecraft are typically protected from debris impacts by some form of a Whipple shield, which has a thin outer bumper with a space between the bumper and the wall of the spacecraft.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of outer

Adjective

The production planned to grab exterior footage outside Broadway’s Music Box Theatre — the film’s principal location — before a New York City blizzard intervened.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Following Tuesday’s strikes, residents and Iranian media showed fragments of munitions found at the scene, including a thermal battery unit, a segment of a control fin and part of the exterior body of the munition.

— Amir Vahdat, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of exterior

Adjective

In a comment underneath a Facebook post from 2025, Headen called for foreign attacks on states with a large conservative population.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2026
Terrorism wasn’t a completely foreign concept, but the notion of a hostile, coordinated attack on our soil, at that scale, seemed like something that might only happen in a Tom Clancy novel or a summer blockbuster movie.

— Michael Silver, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of foreign

Adjective

Howard said there was a large volume of character, reputation, and extraneous information related to the Metcalfs.

— CBS Texas Staff, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Judges should consider voluntary surrender for low-risk individuals who have demonstrated compliance, ensuring punishment aligns with the court's order without adding extraneous suffering.

— Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of extraneous

Adjective

The impact-absorbing cushioning is also a plus for my grandma, as is the rubber sole, which prevents accidental falls or slips.

— Essence Wiley, InStyle, 5 Sep. 2026
An investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department remains ongoing, but KTLA previously reported that officials believe the crash was accidental.

— Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026