periphery

noun

pə-ˈri-f(ə-)rē How to pronounce periphery (audio)
Definition of peripherynext
as in perimeter
the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something the dogs are confined by an invisible electronic fence that runs along the periphery of the yard

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 periphery For over 18 months armed groups have established themselves across Kenscoff, struck its periphery while leaving the center under pressure. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 Information about the attack is still trickling out, with Massillon warning that gangs were still roaming Kenscoff’s periphery. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 Folks on the strange periphery, like me, are getting motion sick from all the head spinning one must do to cover this team. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026 Two quarterbacks on the periphery of the Heisman discussion in the Aggies’ Marcel Reed and the Trojans’ Jayden Maiava. — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for periphery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for periphery
  1. perimeter
  2. edge
  3. circumference
  4. boundary
  5. border
  6. edging
Noun
  • Its sealed perimeter, only accessible via lines and screening, now makes one of the world’s wonders feel less like a wondrous part of the city than an attraction held behind glass.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Smith was able to stay relatively healthy last season, earning consistent playing time because of his pesky perimeter defense and steady offensive game in a backup point guard role.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of perimeter
Noun
  • To continue to compete at the cutting edge, OpenAI needs to keep raising cash.
    — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The quick short corner surprised Greenville (6-16-5), and Barea hit the edge of the 18-yard box before lifting a cross to the far post.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of edge
Noun
  • Before getting one, measure the circumference of your pet’s neck.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
  • All but one of the other circumference measurements were between 4 4⁄8 and 5 inches.
    — Richard P. Smith, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of circumference
Noun
  • Pakistan, which went with five specialized bowlers plus Ayub’s offspin, surprisingly went with the option of part-timer Saad Masood in the second over that allowed Sharma to break free by smacking three sixes and a boundary in the 24-run over.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Community meetings about new school boundaries will take place from mid-October through mid-November.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of boundary
Noun
  • The remains, discovered at a Greek border area 60 years ago, were flown to the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, aboard a military aircraft that was escorted by Bulgarian air force fighter jets from the country's border with Greece.
    — COSTAS KANTOURIS, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
  • What starts as a brief encounter blossoms into a romance that transcends national borders.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of border
Noun
  • The small, irregular pearls appeared around the armholes of a long and lean mesh dress, and as the delicate edging on a beautiful citron yellow flapper dress with sheer panels.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • After spending eight hours Sunday cutting, edging, shredding, digging and ripping at things in the yard and in the garage, my advice to younger readers is to invest in high-quality tools.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of edging

Browse Nearby Words

peripheries
periphery
periphrasis
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Periphery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/periphery. Accessed 8 Oct. 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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of etiquette

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
name tags
Words Named After People Quiz Find out who’s behind "leotard," "morphine," an...
See All