in the world

phrase

: among innumerable possibilities : ever
—used as an intensive
what in the world is it

Examples of in the world 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.
Growth in the world's second-largest economy slowed to multi-year lows in the second quarter, weighed down by tepid domestic demand and a prolonged real estate slump. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026 Yet the counterattack to that is what’s going on politically and socially in the world today, which is the clawing back of women’s rights, of human rights. — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2026 The potential scale of what it has been granted could make the company one of the biggest oil titans in the world. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026 Dormant since the late 1980s, the site is one of the few places in the world where lithium mining is possible. — Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for in the world

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Rhymes for in the world

See All Rhymes for in the world

Browse Nearby Words

in the works
in the world
in the worst way
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“In the world.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20world. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

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

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
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
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All