about 1 of 3

preposition

Definition of aboutnext
1
as in regarding
having to do with a poignant story about a young man who goes off to war

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in around
close to about the hedge there was a picket fence

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in throughout
in random positions within the boundaries of sparrows hopping about the lawn near the bird feeder

Synonyms & Similar Words

about

2 of 3

adverb

ə-ˈbau̇t How to pronounce about (audio)
1
as in round
on all sides or in every direction people standing about waiting for a salesclerk to assist them

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in back
toward the opposite direction turned about and saw the dog following him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in almost
very close to but not completely about as many attendees as last year signed up for the conference

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in approximately
close to but not exactly it's about a mile to the nearest gas station we're about ready to get started

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in everywhere
in one place and another his garage was a dirty, cluttered place with various tools and engine parts just lying about

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

about

3 of 3

adjective

as in aware

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 about
Preposition
Other priorities include allowing school trips to the cemetery for Hartford Public Schools students to learn about Hartford’s rich heritage and cultural past. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026 So are stereotypes about Jewish control of politics or money. — Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Adverb
About 76% of Union County residents reported high well-being, compared with about 61% in Gaston County, according to findings presented this month by the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute as part of its State of Our Region research. — Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026 Joeys will leave the pouch at about 235 days old, but will continue to nurse until about 1-year-old, sometimes longer. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Who knew Florida State was paying filet mignon prices for a coach who was about to start serving gas-station hot dogs? — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026 Not only were there legal as well as reputational risks to consider, there was also the open question of how many other unsuspecting writers out there were about to be similarly surprised. — Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for about
Recent Examples of Synonyms for about
  1. regarding
  2. around
  3. throughout
  4. back
  5. almost
  6. approximately
  7. everywhere
  8. aware
Preposition
  • Metro Police detectives are continuing to investigate the shooting, and are in contact with the District Attorney’s Office regarding charging decisions.
    — Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Was any decision made regarding reducing Partey’s media obligations?
    — James McNicholas, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Definition of regarding
Preposition
  • Infection signs around the nose, mouth, ears, eyes or genital areas also warrant attention, the agency added.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Canada doubled down on its historic 24-21 win in Toronto last week with sustained defensive pressure and a withering three-try burst in nine minutes around the hour mark.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of around
Preposition
  • Multiple light fixtures throughout facility lacking protective shield.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Adorable boutiques, vintage shops, and cafés are featured throughout the downtown area.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of throughout
Adverb
  • The Times reached out to the actor’s representatives for details including the birth date and gender of the child but did not hear back.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • An auditor flagged those expenses, and the state later clawed them back.
    — Julie Watts, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of back
Adverb
  • West Charlotte voters chose a new representative on the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners for the first time in almost two decades Tuesday.
    — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Dominguez ran a campaign almost entirely funded by the union and echoed its unequivocal red line against shuttering schools.
    — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of almost
Adverb
  • Preliminary estimates place the new submarine’s submerged displacement at approximately 10,100 tons.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • About 85% of the departures were resignations or retirements, the Post found, while approximately 32,000 full-time workers were directly fired.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of approximately
Adverb
  • There’s drama everywhere at the Ritz-Carlton, with canopy-height structures of dark wood housing everything from boutiques to restaurants and even the lobby.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The Organization and Guidance Department, the party’s most powerful agency, oversees appointments, inspections, and discipline everywhere—in Pyongyang as well as rural villages.
    — Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of everywhere
Adjective
  • Because his own older brother is blind, Liu is strongly aware of the need to consult those whom his technology seeks to help.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The Hollywood Reporter asked Mark if Ehrlich was aware that his audio was still being captured.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of aware

Phrases Containing about

Browse Nearby Words

abounds
about
about-face
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“About.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/about. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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