EXTERNAL Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

external

adjective

ek-ˈstər-nᵊl

Definition of external

as in extrinsic

not being a vital part of or belonging to something the defendant's socioeconomic status must be regarded as entirely external to his guilt or innocence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in outer

situated on the outside or farther out the external chambers of the ancient tomb gave little indication of the magnificence of the innermost chamber

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of external Competition just comes from external players, that kind of thing. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026 Jason Collins is a Central Florida pediatric cancer advocate and director of communications and external relations for the Ahmad Butler Foundation. — Jason Collins, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026 No offense, but look back at so many of the recent NBA champions, none, based on these latest external Heat concerns, had perfect rosters. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026 And that was despite dealing with external noise stemming leading up to his tenure from when Wisconsin tried to block his transfer request. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for external

Recent Examples of Synonyms for external

Adjective

Educational psychology provides a useful framework for understanding this phenomenon through the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.

— Jason Benedict, Fortune, 7 July 2026
Extrinsic rewards, such as grades, do so because extrinsic desires tend to crowd out intrinsic ones.

— David Brooks, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026

Definition of extrinsic

Adjective

Earlier this month as a hurricane, the outer bands of Lala battered Hawaii and caused destructive flooding.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
Spanning 42 feet long and more than 14 feet wide, the observatory is designed to explore the outer solar system and beyond – prying into the previously unobservable edge of the universe to study dark energy and search for exoplanets.

— Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of outer

Adjective

Catherine and Alice are such complicated figures that the word likable seems irrelevant to them.

— Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026
Markets may decide that the long lead time required to rebuild Venezuelan production makes the agreement largely irrelevant to near-term supply.

— Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of irrelevant

Adjective

In transport and mobile machinery, this direct integration converts exterior bodywork into an auxiliary power source.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Historic Preservation Commission members voted Thursday to approve exterior changes to the mansion’s original design plan as the building, now more than a century old, undergoes restoration and renovation as part of a new residential development.

— Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of exterior

Adjective

More than 400 foreign nationals are among the 579 tourists missing in the rugged mountainous region, which is popular with pilgrims and trekkers.

— Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
The brothers Tate were arrested by federal marshals in Miami last month, after years of being investigated by several foreign authorities.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of foreign

Adjective

Howard said there was a large volume of character, reputation, and extraneous information related to the Metcalfs.

— CBS Texas Staff, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Judges should consider voluntary surrender for low-risk individuals who have demonstrated compliance, ensuring punishment aligns with the court's order without adding extraneous suffering.

— Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of extraneous

Adjective

This included expert witnesses who said the child’s death was an accidental drowning brought on by a seizure and a jailhouse informant who recanted his trial testimony that Duncan had confessed to the crime.

— Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 31 Aug. 2026
In all three cases, authorities have appeared to suggest their deaths were accidental.

— Ryan Young, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026