without 1 of 3

preposition

wi-ˈt͟hau̇t How to pronounce without (audio)
Definition of withoutnext
1
as in wanting
not having spent two days without food

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in beyond
out of the reach or sphere of a goal without our grasp

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

without

2 of 3

adverb

as in outside

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

without

3 of 3

noun

as in sticks

Related Words

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 without
Preposition
In the end the judge denied Hochman's motion and ruled to go forward with the resentencing hearing and in May 2025 reduced the brothers' sentences from life without parole to 50 years to life. — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026 The South Korean tech giant recently upgraded its Smart Switch feature, allowing iPhone users to transfer data to a Galaxy device wirelessly by simply scanning a QR code, without installing the Smart Switch app on their iPhone. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026 And unlike other eye-catching artifacts such as jewels, paintings can’t be chopped up and sold for parts without losing their entire worth. — Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Still, Judge already exerted control by avoiding a rehab assignment; a club, according to the collective bargaining agreement, can not impose one on a player without his consent. — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for without
Recent Examples of Synonyms for without
  1. beyond
  2. outside
  3. country
  4. out
  5. outdoors
Preposition
  • Central States recently joined the Expanding ESOPs coalition, which includes nearly 100 organizations working together to grow employer ownership here in Arkansas and beyond by increasing awareness and improving policy.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026
  • That’s because postseason games tend to be close, and good lineups rarely let any starter last beyond six innings.
    — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of beyond
Adverb
  • The laws of the game state explicitly that holding offences that start outside and continue into the area are penalised by a penalty kick.
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • In a short video, the Grammy-winning R&B songstress can be seen hanging four crisp white t-shirts onto a clothesline outside, before adding a tiny baby onesie onto the end of the rope.
    — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of outside
Noun
  • Many higher-income countries, though challenged by the disruption, have cushioned the blow by tapping strategic reserves or using their financial and political clout to secure emergency supplies.
    — Nana Menya Ayensu, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Bridgespan’s report finds that families in middle-income countries are more likely to administer their own programs than those in higher-income countries.
    — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of country
Adverb
  • Kiju looked at me, took my hand, and walked around the woman and out into the night air as those inside gasped and moved to help the vile woman.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
  • His experience as a Carolina Panthers radio game analyst prepared him to get in and out in the proper amount of time.
    — Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of out
Adverb
  • The prototype was assembled on location, installed outdoors, and left in place over several nights while its solar system charged the batteries.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Beyond the basics like comfortable clothing and sturdy hiking shoes, campers often need tents, sleeping bags, camp chairs, lanterns, and coolers to stay comfortable outdoors.
    — Kaitlin Marks, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of outdoors

Phrases Containing without

Browse Nearby Words

with might and main
without
without ado
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Without.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/without. Accessed 12 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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of hobnob

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

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

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

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

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

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
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
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All