with·out
wi-ˈt͟hau̇t 
-ˈthau̇t
-ˈthau̇t
1
: outside
2
—used as a function word to indicate the absence or lack of something or someone
fight without fear
left without him
looks without seeing
1
: on the outside : externally
2
: with something lacking or absent
has learned to do without
chiefly dialectal
: unless
You don't know about me without you have read a book …—
Mark Twain
Mark Twain
: an outer place or area
came from without
Examples of without in a Sentence
Preposition
Do you take your coffee with or without sugar?
Don't leave home without your wallet.
Without water, there would be no life on Earth.
I can't imagine life without a car.
It happened suddenly and without warning.
The prisoner will be held without bail until his trial.
These cookies are made without flour.
Try doing the math without a calculator.
I can't see you without my glasses.
Adverb
Do you take your coffee with sugar or without?
Recent Examples on the Web
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 4 Jan. 2026
The 49ers, who were already without stars Warner and Bosa, lost another key player on defense when linebacker Dee Winters exited with an ankle injury in the second quarter Saturday.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 4 Jan. 2026
Washington was also without forward Aliaksei Protas because of a lower-body injury.
—CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026
Jordana Codio had 12 points -- as well as 10 turnovers -- and Mariana Valenzuela had eight points for Seton Hall (10-5, 4-2), which was playing without third-leading scorer Jada Eads.
—Arkansas Online, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for without
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Preposition
The Panthers had a chance late, down only two points, but couldn’t hold Tampa Bay without a first down on the Bucs’ final possession.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 4 Jan. 2026
The 49ers, who were already without stars Warner and Bosa, lost another key player on defense when linebacker Dee Winters exited with an ankle injury in the second quarter Saturday.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 4 Jan. 2026
Washington was also without forward Aliaksei Protas because of a lower-body injury.
—CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026
Jordana Codio had 12 points -- as well as 10 turnovers -- and Mariana Valenzuela had eight points for Seton Hall (10-5, 4-2), which was playing without third-leading scorer Jada Eads.
—Arkansas Online, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for without
Cite this Entry
“Without.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/without. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
without
1 of 3 preposition
with·out
wit͟h-ˈau̇t
with-
with-
1
a
: outside entry 4 sense 1
they stood without the castle gates
b
: out of the range or limits of
not without our capabilities
2
a
: not having : in the absence of
without food
b
: not accompanied by or showing
spoke without thinking
without
2 of 3 adverb1
: on the outside
2
: with something lacking or absent
learn to do without
without
3 of 3 noun
: an outer place or area
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