Within vs. Without: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 29, 2023
Within refers to something inside or included in a boundary or limit, while without means lacking something or outside of a boundary or limit.
Key Differences
Within implies a presence inside a specified area, denoting inclusion or enclosure. It suggests being inside either physically or figuratively. Without, on the other hand, signifies the absence or lack of something, often used to describe being outside a specific boundary or lacking a particular quality or element.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Within is often used to express a range or limit, such as time or distance, indicating something happening inside that range. Without is used to convey exclusion or the state of being beyond a particular scope or boundary, highlighting an external position or condition.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
When discussing emotions or abstract concepts, within can signify something residing internally, like feelings or thoughts. Without is used to describe the absence of such internal states, often implying a sense of lacking or need.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
In legal or formal contexts, within can denote compliance or adherence to limits, such as within the law. Without is used to indicate the absence of permission, authorization, or something being outside the accepted norms or regulations.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Within and without also differ in their usage in literature and artistic expressions. Within often conveys a sense of introspection or internal exploration. Without is used to describe external circumstances, environments, or conditions influencing the subject or narrative.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
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Within and Without Definitions
Without
Without the city limits.
The farm is located without the city limits.
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Dec 29, 2023
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Within
Within the walls.
The garden is beautiful within the walls of the estate.
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Dec 29, 2023
Within
In or into the inner part; inside
"restaurants and wine houses jammed along the earthen streets ... banners flapping to announce the delights within" (Nicole Mones).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Within
In the inner part or parts of; inside
The streets within the city.
Resentment seething within him.
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Oct 19, 2023
Within
Not exceeding the limits or extent of in distance or time
Got within ten miles of home.
Stayed within earshot.
Arrived within two days.
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Oct 19, 2023
Without
Not accompanied by; in the absence of
Volunteered without hesitation.
Spoke without thinking.
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Oct 19, 2023
Within
Not exceeding the fixed limits of; not beyond
Lived within her income.
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Oct 19, 2023
Without
At, on, to, or toward the outside or exterior of
Standing without the door.
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Oct 19, 2023
Within
In the scope or sphere of
Acted within the law.
Within the medical profession.
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Oct 19, 2023
Without
An outer position, place, or area
A threat to security that came from without.
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Oct 19, 2023
Within
Used to indicate a range to be covered or an amount necessary before something can happen
The team has pulled to within three points and can tie the game with a field goal.
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Oct 19, 2023
Without
Unless
"You don't know about me without you have read a book by the name of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" (Mark Twain).
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Oct 19, 2023
Without
Outside, externally. This is still used in the names of some civil parishes in England, e.g. St Cuthbert Without.
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Oct 19, 2023
Without
Lacking something.
Being from a large, poor family, he learned to live without.
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Oct 19, 2023
Within
In the scope or range of.
Within his hearing;
Her within five seconds of breaking the record;
Within an inch of falling overboard
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Oct 19, 2023
Without
Not having, containing, characteristic of, etc.
It was a mistake to leave my house without a coat.
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Oct 19, 2023
Within
(legal) In the context of which the present document or ruling is made.
The within appeal
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Oct 19, 2023
Without
Not doing or not having done something.
He likes to eat everything without sharing.
He shot without warning anyone.
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Oct 19, 2023
Within
In the inner or interior part of; inside of; not without; as, within doors.
O, unhappy youth!Come not within these doors; within this roofThe enemy of all your graces lives.
Till this be cured by religion, it is as impossible for a man to be happy - that is, pleased and contented within himself - as it is for a sick man to be at ease.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Within
In the limits or compass of; not further in length than; as, within five miles; not longer in time than; as, within an hour; not exceeding in quantity; as, expenses kept within one's income.
Within these five hours lived Lord Hastings,Untainted, unexamined, free, at liberty.
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Oct 19, 2023
Without
On or at the outside of; out of; not within; as, without doors.
Without the gateSome drive the cars, and some the coursers rein.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Within
Hence, inside the limits, reach, or influence of; not going outside of; not beyond, overstepping, exceeding, or the like.
Both he and she are still within my power.
Within himselfThe danger lies, yet lies within his power.
Were every action concluded within itself, and drew no consequence after it, we should, undoubtedly, never err in our choice of good.
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Oct 19, 2023
Without
Out of the limits of; out of reach of; beyond.
Eternity, before the world and after, is without our reach.
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Oct 19, 2023
Within
In the inner part; inwardly; internally.
Ills from within thy reason must prevent.
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Oct 19, 2023
Without
Not with; otherwise than with; in absence of, separation from, or destitution of; not with use or employment of; independently of; exclusively of; with omission; as, without labor; without damage.
I wolde it do withouten negligence.
Wise men will do it without a law.
Without the separation of the two monarchies, the most advantageous terms . . . must end in our destruction.
There is no living with thee nor without thee.
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Oct 19, 2023
Without
Unless; except; - introducing a clause.
You will never live to my age without you keep yourselves in breath with exercise, and in heart with joyfulness.
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Oct 19, 2023
Without
On or art the outside; not on the inside; not within; outwardly; externally.
Without were fightings, within were fears.
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Oct 19, 2023
Without
Outside of the house; out of doors.
The people came unto the house without.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can "within" be used to denote time limits?
Yes, "within" is often used to specify a time frame, like "within 30 days."
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Is "without" used to express the absence of something?
Yes, "without" indicates the absence or lack of something.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Can "within" indicate compliance with rules?
Yes, it can mean acting inside the limits of rules, like "within the law."
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Is "within" used in expressions of certainty?
Not typically; it's more about limits or ranges.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Does "without" always indicate negativity?
No, it simply denotes absence, not necessarily a negative aspect.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Can "without" mean 'free from' something?
Yes, like "without fear" means free from fear.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Does "without" have a historical usage in literature?
Yes, it's been used historically to indicate external conditions or circumstances.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Can "within" imply an emotional or mental state?
Yes, "within" can refer to internal feelings or thoughts, like "peace lies within."
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Does "without" have a spatial meaning?
Yes, it can denote being outside a physical area, like "without the building."
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
How does "within" relate to physical boundaries?
It denotes being inside physical limits, like "within the room."
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Is "without" commonly used in everyday language?
Yes, especially to express the lack of something.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Is "without" used in legal contexts?
Yes, particularly to indicate the absence of necessary conditions or permissions.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Can "within" suggest a range in terms of distance?
Yes, like "within a mile of the school."
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Is "within" used metaphorically?
Yes, it can be used metaphorically to indicate internal states or qualities.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Can "within" be synonymous with 'during'?
In some contexts, yes, like "within the meeting's duration."
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Can "within" imply a sense of inclusivity?
Yes, particularly in social or communal contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Is "without" used in phrases to emphasize certainty?
Yes, like "without question" to emphasize certainty.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
How does "within" function in mathematical contexts?
It indicates being inside a numerical range or limit.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Does "without" have a specific grammatical role?
It primarily functions as a preposition or adverb.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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