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 O’Brien did not mince words about this kind of external pressure. Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026 O’Brien did not mince words about this kind of external pressure on late-night television. Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Mar. 2026 Lynn Song, chief economist of Greater China at Dutch bank ING, said the strong domestic focus in the plan signals both rising pushback to China’s trade imbalances and Beijing’s recognition of heightened external risks. John Liu, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026 An external panel of more than 230 physicians from 24 countries contributed to safety and clinical review. Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for external
Recent Examples of Synonyms for external
Adjective
  • Happiness means pursuing intrinsic rather than extrinsic goals One of the biggest lies that Old Happy tells us, Harrison explains, is that the pursuit of extrinsic goals and external approval — popularity, conformity, financial success, aesthetic beauty — is the key to happiness.
    Nina Zipkin, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026
  • Psychologists distinguish between intrinsic motivation (behaviors driven by internal satisfaction and personal values) and extrinsic motivation (behaviors driven by external rewards, recognition or pressure).
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Pack a blanket or a warm outer layer Older people have a harder time producing, retaining, and circulating body heat.
    Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
  • With several outer zip and flap pockets, a laptop sleeve, and interior zipper, cell phone, and multifunction pockets, staying organized is a breeze.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Yet some in Iran say the supreme leader as irrelevant.
    Ramin Mostaghim, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The invention of electricity made menial jobs like the lamplighter, the elevator operator, and the knocker-up, the human equivalent to the modern alarm clock, irrelevant.
    Jake Angelo, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The rally sport option featuring blacked out exterior accents, 19″ alloy wheels with available 21″ inch alloy wheels, and a flat bottom steering wheel.
    Tony Leopardo, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Cook tofu in oil (any amount from a splash to a deep-fry) until browned with a crisp exterior and creamy interior.
    Kate Williams, AJC.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Such a distinction had only ever applied to infrastructure firms, like Huawei or Kaspersky Labs, with ties to adversarial foreign governments, and there was no domestic precedent.
    Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Sticking with BCIs, companies like NMT are being pushed by China to help compete with potential foreign rivals like Neuralink or Synchron.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Each has been given extraneous dramatic business, perhaps to balance the scales with Oliver and Ciara, and to underscore that this is a show about two sets of couples, their trust issues and their need for one another.
    Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Others see them as extraneous measures for pet projects that balloon congressional spending.
    Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 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
  • Baker said Wednesday the bill’s life sentence provision would not include cases where a reckless or drunken driver caused the accidental death of an officer.
    Marta Zherukha, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
  • However, prosecutors say Lee’s questions did not accurately describe the bloody scene or his girlfriend’s body, which showed multiple injuries and blunt force trauma that could not be explained by an accidental fall and instead indicated a violent struggle.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“External.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/external. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

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