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
Kristen Roupenian, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Over the past year, according to earlier Post reporting, an unprecedented number of Aurora detainees have been granted voluntary departures — essentially deportations without a more punitive court order.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
Though conflict is possible, it can be handled without too much strain by taking things slow.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 Apr. 2026
Skiers on the last day of the season were still able to make it from the top of the lift down to the base with skis underfoot, without the need of downloading on the lifts.
—Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for without
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.
Preposition
The result is work that asks questions without presenting them as puzzles to be solved.
—Kristen Roupenian, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Over the past year, according to earlier Post reporting, an unprecedented number of Aurora detainees have been granted voluntary departures — essentially deportations without a more punitive court order.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
Though conflict is possible, it can be handled without too much strain by taking things slow.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 Apr. 2026
Skiers on the last day of the season were still able to make it from the top of the lift down to the base with skis underfoot, without the need of downloading on the lifts.
—Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 6 Apr. 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 6 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
