outer

adjective

ˈau̇-tər How to pronounce outer (audio)
Definition of outernext
as in exterior
situated on the outside or farther out the outer edge of the blade of your figure skate always wears out faster than the inner because you use it more

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 outer Her home was visible, because the outer walls were cracked, but still standing. — Diaa Hadid, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026 Its two large outer patch pockets are useful for stashing items on the go, while its large internal zipped pocket could safely store a laptop. — Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 31 Aug. 2026 Consider a nude or sparkly tone at the center of the lids, and perhaps a darker, richer shade along the outer orbital bone. — Laura Sandroni, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026 Protect your base first, and the outer plan will be easier to manage. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outer
  1. exterior
  2. outward
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
  • Despite the lack of outward signs in Ocean Springs, Nolan’s death has come to mean different things to different people and a lack of answers from authorities has left residents drawing their own conclusions about the circumstances of his death.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The portrait in question, simply titled Roy Cohn, captures the lawyer’s striking outward stare and scar-split nose head on, surrounded by a black backdrop, a signature of Mapplethorpe’s images during the final decade of his life.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of outward

Browse Nearby Words

outed
outer
outermost
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outer. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All