as in external
not being a vital part of or belonging to something
the fact that the ring belonged to your grandmother is extrinsic to its value to a jeweler
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 extrinsic
Early longevity studies analyzed groups of people who were born in a time of widespread extrinsic mortality.
—
Cody Cottier,
Scientific American,
29 Jan. 2026
Common in the Ninth Circuit, the extrinsic test looks at comparison, context and, in a case like this, specific plot elements.
—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
3 Jan. 2026
Nonetheless, too many workplaces are organized around extrinsic rewards such as money, titles, team size, and proximity to power, which can spark effort in the short run but rarely sustain it.
—
Jon Rosemberg,
Fortune,
9 Dec. 2025
Gray emphasized that true free play is not oriented around extrinsic goals, such as earning a high grade from a teacher or impressing a soccer coach.
—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extrinsic
Cody Cottier,
Scientific American,
29 Jan. 2026
Common in the Ninth Circuit, the extrinsic test looks at comparison, context and, in a case like this, specific plot elements.
—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
3 Jan. 2026
Nonetheless, too many workplaces are organized around extrinsic rewards such as money, titles, team size, and proximity to power, which can spark effort in the short run but rarely sustain it.
—
Jon Rosemberg,
Fortune,
9 Dec. 2025
Gray emphasized that true free play is not oriented around extrinsic goals, such as earning a high grade from a teacher or impressing a soccer coach.
—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extrinsic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extrinsic
Adjective
-
Denver’s brass was asked about those comments on Wednesday, and Wallace responded by sharing some thoughts on the team’s internal and external goals.
-
Internal balconies were illuminated by faint blue lights in constellation displays, half-hidden among the foliage to create an illusion of the external edifice of some tropical villa.
Adjective
-
Without ownership, documentation becomes a museum exhibit that may be informative but irrelevant.
-
No detail, no matter how incomplete or far-fetched, was irrelevant to their search.
Adjective
-
Although individual plants have a lifespan of 30-90 years, adventitious shoots grow up from roots.
-
The patchy and adventitious quality of Jameson’s reconstruction must make clear his difference as a thinker.
Adjective
-
Stripping out every extraneous expense, Vrotsos picked a start date and just began shooting.
-
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.
Adjective
-
Fire departments have also partnered with the APA to hand out buckets so consumer fireworks users can douse used fireworks, reducing the risk of accidental fires.
-
While many may have had one as children, the inception of the toy was accidental.
Cite this Entry
“Extrinsic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extrinsic. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
