inner

adjective

in·​ner ˈi-nər How to pronounce inner (audio)
Synonyms of innernext
1
a
: situated farther in
the inner bark
b
: being near a center especially of influence
the inner circles of political power
2
a
: of or relating to the mind or spirit
the inner life
b
: existing as an often repressed part of one's psychological makeup
inner child
inner artist
inner noun
innerly adverb

Synonyms of inner

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Examples of inner in a Sentence

She led the guests to an inner room. the inner face of the arch the inner lining of the jacket listening to her inner voice
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.
As the original pipeline was nearing completion in the 1960s, more than a foot of rain fell, which flooded the inner canyon and caused 40% of the project to be destroyed, according to officials. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Sadie Sink is channeling her inner pop star in a sexy new campaign for Calvin Klein. — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 Once excavation is finished, crews can remove the backup system and inner shield while leaving the outer shell behind as permanent tunnel support. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026 Each represents a link in a chain, a continuously evolving but mystically consistent method of shaping, presenting, and expressing sound, using its physical properties to map out an inner emotional space. — Reed Jackson, SPIN, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inner

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English innera, comparative of inne within

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of inner was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing inner

Rhymes for inner

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Browse Nearby Words

in negotiation
inner
inner anhydride
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Cite this Entry

“Inner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inner. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

inner

adjective
in·​ner ˈin-ər How to pronounce inner (audio)
1
a
: situated farther in
inner room
b
: being near a center especially of influence
an inner circle of advisors
2
: of or relating to the mind or spirit
inner peace
innerly adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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