Synonym Chooser

How is the word environment distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of environment are background, milieu, mise-en-scène, and setting. While all these words mean "the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs," environment applies to all the external factors that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental, or moral development.

the kind of environment that produces juvenile delinquents

When is it sensible to use background instead of environment?

The meanings of background and environment largely overlap; however, background often refers to the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon or development.

the shocking decision was part of the background of the riots

When is milieu a more appropriate choice than environment?

In some situations, the words milieu and environment are roughly equivalent. However, milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons.

an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation

When might mise-en-scène be a better fit than environment?

While in some cases nearly identical to environment, mise-en-scène strongly suggests the use of properties to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect.

a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scène

When could setting be used to replace environment?

While the synonyms setting and environment are close in meaning, setting suggests looking at real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms.

a militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social setting

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 environment When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2025 The future of the midterm essay may be a quaint worry compared with larger questions about the ramifications of artificial intelligence, such as its effect on the environment, or the automation of jobs. Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 30 June 2025 In areas such as animation, new environments could be created with AI, Chi said. Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025 The calcified dental plaque could hold and protect DNA due to its dense crystalline structure that resists degradation in various environments. Nick Butler, FOXNews.com, 21 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for environment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for environment
Noun
  • The Mediterranean atmosphere is ideal for a lunch pre or post-tennis matches.
    Rachel Dube, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Ahead of the event’s fifth edition, Reeve-Rabb suggests the 2026 festival line-up could be even bigger, while retaining the event’s intimate atmosphere.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • This reality has sparked legitimate concerns about AI undermining climate progress.
    Tenzin Seldon, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • And although the show avoids preachy comparisons between its well-off, white climate refugees and their less privileged present-day counterparts, there’s plenty to notice about the international community’s indifference to the plight of the stateless.
    Judy Berman, Time, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • The entry-level Sport gets a Harman Kardon surround system, electrically adjustable front seats, steering wheel heating, all-wheel drive, a heat pump, and DC charging up to 175kW, a decent standard kit list.
    Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • The dining room leads to a bright eat-in kitchen that overlooks the backyard and opens to a family room with a stately fireplace with brick surround.
    Alicia Napierkowski, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • Outraged, Anya tweeted at the museum that this was akin to saying, without additional context, that an Impressionist painting had been acquired in Vienna in 1942.
    Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
  • For context, only relegated Ipswich Town (four) and Southampton (two) managed fewer points when coming from behind.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Environment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/environment. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on environment

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