without
17 synonyms and 6 antonyms for without, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Preposition — Not having or accompanied by something.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use without
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
without a doubt
without hesitation
go without
Etymology
From Old English wiþūtan, literally "against the outside of," formed from with plus out.
Full origin of without →Frequently asked questions
What does “without” mean?
The word “without” means not having or accompanied by something. In plain terms, lacking something, or not doing something.
How do you pronounce “without”?
“Without” is pronounced wihth-OWT (/wɪθˈaʊt/ in IPA).
How do you use “without” in a sentence?
Here is “without” used in a sentence: “He left without saying goodbye.”
What is another word for “without”?
Words with a similar meaning to “without” include lacking, outwith, with no, -less, w/o and sans.
What is the opposite of “without”?
The opposite of “without” — its antonyms — are within, with, having, characteristic of and endowed with.
What part of speech is “without”?
Depending on how it is used, “without” can be a preposition and a conjunction.
Where does the word “without” come from?
The word “without” comes from Old English. From Old English wiþūtan, literally "against the outside of," formed from with plus out.
Is “without” a common word?
“Without” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the opposite of 'without'?
The clear opposite is "with," meaning having or accompanied by something. "Tea without sugar" becomes "tea with sugar." Depending on the sentence, "including," "plus," or "having" can also serve as opposites, but "with" is the natural pair that reverses the meaning of "without" in almost every case.
What does 'do without' or 'go without' mean?
To "do without" or "go without" something means to manage or cope even though you lack it. "We'll have to do without heating" means carrying on despite not having it. The phrase suggests accepting the absence of something you might want or need, and getting by regardless of the inconvenience.
What is the difference between 'without' and 'lacking'?
"Without" is a simple preposition stating that something is absent, as in "a room without windows." "Lacking" is more pointed, implying that the missing thing is needed or expected, so its absence is a shortcoming. A room without windows is neutral; a plan lacking detail falls short of what it should be.
