alongside

1 of 2

adverb

along·​side ə-ˈlȯŋ-ˈsīd How to pronounce alongside (audio)
Synonyms of alongsidenext
1
: along the side : in parallel position
2
: at the side : close by
a guard with a prisoner alongside

alongside

2 of 2

preposition

1
a
: along the side of
the boat docked alongside the pier
b
: beside sense 1
standing alongside me
2
a
: in company with
… men she has been working alongside …—Richard Halloran
b
: in addition to
… a special category alongside the awards it annually presents …—Horizon

Examples of alongside in a Sentence

Adverb We waited for the other boat to come alongside. Preposition The children work alongside their parents in the field. Bring the boat alongside the dock. one theory taught alongside the other The town grew up alongside the college.
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
Wallace was leaving a music industry party at the Petersen Automotive Museum on March 9, 1997, sitting in the front passenger seat of a Chevrolet Suburban, when his killer pulled up alongside in a dark Chevy Impala. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Somehow this abstract understanding exists alongside, or by means of, the objects in the waiting room—a paper cup from the water cooler, or a copy of People magazine. — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
Preposition
Niecy Nash-Betts, who competed on DWTS back in 2010, is the guest judge, alongside Heidi, Nina, and Law. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026 The late star had also been a co-owner of Sandollar Productions alongside her former manager, Sandy Gallin, which produced Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Father of the Bride and Sabrina, among others. — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alongside

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of alongside was in 1704

Phrases Containing alongside

Rhymes for alongside

See All Rhymes for alongside

Browse Nearby Words

alongshore
alongside
alongside of
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alongside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alongside. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

alongside

1 of 2 adverb
along·​side -ˌsīd How to pronounce alongside (audio)
: along or close at the side : in parallel position
a guard with a prisoner alongside

alongside

2 of 2 preposition
: side by side with
especially : parallel to
boats alongside the dock

More from Merriam-Webster on alongside

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for alongside

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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