Synonyms of beyond
1
: on or to the farther side : farther
We could see the valley and the hills beyond.
2
: in addition : besides
provides the essentials but nothing beyond

beyond

2 of 3

preposition

1
: on or to the farther side of : at a greater distance than
beyond the horizon
2
a
: out of the reach or sphere (see sphere entry 1 sense 4b) of
a task beyond his strength
b
: in a degree or amount surpassing
beautiful beyond measure
c
: out of the comprehension of
his reasoning is beyond me
3
: in addition to : besides
doing work beyond his regular duties
see also:

beyond

3 of 3

noun

1
: something that lies on or to the farther side : something that lies beyond (see beyond entry 1 sense 1)
… twenty miles back into the beyondR. W. Hatch
2
: something that lies outside the scope of ordinary experience
… there's a beyond that the mind can't see, and that's where the answers are.Robert Nathan
specifically : hereafter

Examples of beyond in a Sentence

Adverb From the house we can see the valley and the hills beyond. We passed the hotel and drove a bit beyond to see the ocean. The children who are part of the study will be monitored through their school years and beyond. Preposition From the house we can see the valley and the mountains beyond it. The parking area is just beyond those trees. Our land extends beyond the fence to those trees. planets beyond our solar system His influence does not extend beyond this department. Noun who knows how we'll fare in the beyond?
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adverb
Outside the stadium and beyond, however, is a different story. Anna Tingley, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026 But the last two decades have been filled with challenges for McClatchy, whose chain of newspapers across the Central Valley and beyond was once known for its energetic journalism and independent streak. Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Preposition
February 19 – March 20 Something new may be calling you beyond your usual environment. Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 20 Sep. 2026 Thermal imaging is moving beyond simply capturing heat signatures. Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 20 Sep. 2026
Noun
Of course, the prospect of Hall leaving next year or beyond has not been extinguished entirely. Chris Waugh, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 NurPhoto via Getty Images Coming out of the summer break, Formula 1’s silly season for 2027 and beyond has started heating up. Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beyond

Word History

Etymology

Adverb, Preposition, and Noun

Middle English, preposition & adverb, from Old English begeondan, from be- + geondan beyond, from geond yond — more at yond

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of beyond was before the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Beyond.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beyond. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

beyond

1 of 2 adverb
: on or to the farther side

beyond

2 of 2 preposition
1
: on or to the farther side of
beyond that tree
beyond the sea
2
: out of the reach or sphere of
beyond help
beautiful beyond belief
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