within
3 antonyms and opposites of within, grouped by meaning.
Preposition — Inside the physical limits of something.
Antonyms
How to use within
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English wiþinnan, formed from with plus in.
Full origin of within →Frequently asked questions
What does “within” mean?
The word “within” means inside the physical limits of something. In plain terms, inside a place, time limit, or set of boundaries.
How do you pronounce “within”?
“Within” is pronounced wihth-IHN (/wɪðˈɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “within” in a sentence?
Here is “within” used in a sentence: “The treasure was hidden within the castle walls.”
What is the opposite of “within”?
The opposite of “within” — its antonyms — are outside, outwith and without.
What part of speech is “within”?
“Within” is a preposition.
Where does the word “within” come from?
The word “within” comes from Old English. From Old English wiþinnan, formed from with plus in.
Is “within” a common word?
“Within” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “within” have?
“Within” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: inside the physical limits of something.
What is the difference between "within" and "inside"?
Both mean contained by something, and often they are interchangeable. "Inside" simply marks a position within an enclosure. "Within" can feel slightly more formal and is also used more freely for limits that are not physical, such as time, distance, or rules, as in "within an hour" or "within budget."
Can "within" refer to time?
Yes. Besides marking physical space, "within" very commonly expresses a limit of time, meaning "before a period is over." "Reply within three days" means before three days have passed. This figurative use, covering time, distance, and limits like budgets or rules, is now more frequent than the purely physical sense.
What is the opposite of "within"?
The natural opposites are "outside" and "beyond," which place something past the limits rather than inside them. "Within the walls" contrasts with "outside the walls"; "within reach" contrasts with "beyond reach." Which opposite you choose depends on whether you mean physical space or a figurative limit.
What is an example of "within"?
"The keys are within the drawer" places them inside its physical limits. Figurative examples are just as common: "within the city limits," "within arm's reach," or "finish within the hour." Each shows something contained inside a boundary, whether that boundary is a space, a distance, or a length of time.