beside the point

phrase

Synonyms of beside the pointnext
: irrelevant

Examples of beside the point in a Sentence

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.
His 485 wins amassed across 25 seasons in Tampa are not beside the point, but the callouses and wisdom accumulated out of plain sight might count for as much. — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Still, the economic particulars underpinning this needless antagonism essentially are beside the point. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 That is technically true but completely beside the point, the public health equivalent of noting that the tide has only crept up a few inches while standing in a basement that is starting to flood. — A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026 Whether Ervebo ultimately proves to provide clinically meaningful protection against Bundibugyo virus is almost beside the point. — Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beside the point

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of beside the point was in 1591

Rhymes for beside the point

See All Rhymes for beside the point

Browse Nearby Words

besides
beside the point
besiege
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Beside the point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beside%20the%20point. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on beside the point

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for beside the point

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All