PERIPHERAL Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

peripheral

adjective

pə-ˈri-f(ə-)rəl

Definition of peripheral

as in auxiliary

available to supply something extra when needed the IT consultant suggested that we update the drivers for all of the computer's peripheral devices

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of peripheral In the first incident, Attwell will have had to keep his eyes down on the tackle, which is late and deliberate, and so loses his peripheral vision that might have picked up Munoz breaking into the area. — Graham Scott, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 For Joan and Luis, these activities were not peripheral to their Jewish lives. — Laura Yares, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026 The nodules in those early cases ranged from 4 to 10 millimeters, and were the peripheral, hard-to-reach kind where conventional biopsy tools most often fall short. — Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Familial hypercholesterolemia, peripheral artery disease and aortic stenosis are also reasons to get tested. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for peripheral

Recent Examples of Synonyms for peripheral

Adjective

Higher education institutions received revenue through tuition and fees, appropriations, grants & contracts, auxiliary enterprises, gifts and other.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
The electricity harvested from the vehicle skin can run onboard systems, recharge battery banks, and reduce the fuel needed for auxiliary generators.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of auxiliary

Adjective

The jury did convict Rosado of driving under the influence and he was sentenced to five years in prison, but Rosado has been behind bars on a $2 million bail since 2021 so won't have to serve any additional time.

— Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
According to The New York Times, she was sentenced to life in prison, with two additional 30-year sentences to run consecutively with her life term.

— Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of additional

Adjective

Each vacation rental unit can only have one agreement at a time, which is intended for properties that may have an accessory dwelling unit, Cortez said.

— Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026
Colorado also legalized accessory dwelling units statewide in 2024, letting homeowners build small backyard or garage apartments without needing a special hearing or approval.

— Solomon Greene, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of accessory

Browse Nearby Words

peripatetic

peripheral

peripheries

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Peripheral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peripheral. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of peripheral

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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'?

Popular in Wordplay

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

Popular

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

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes