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 beyond …—R. 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
Early election results will throughout the rest of the evening and beyond, with close races likely taking days or weeks to be decided as votes are counted. — Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026 But in an exclusive interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Abrams said her mission to get more Democrats elected in Georgia and beyond has not changed. — Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Preposition
The project was announced during the fourth National Sodium Battery Symposium, showcasing China’s effort to move sodium-ion technology beyond laboratory development and into larger-scale manufacturing. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026 Unfortunately, as this series notes, the federal government has failed to meaningfully address this crisis affecting families and communities across Illinois and beyond. — Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Noun
The adaptation, despite its sober subject, includes some dazzling pyrotechnics—specifically, at the moment when Willie’s soul crosses into the beyond. — Jane Bua, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026 Of course, the prospect of Hall leaving next year or beyond has not been extinguished entirely. — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 11 Sep. 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 5 Nov. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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