about 1 of 3

Definition of aboutnext
1
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

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
4
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

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
For Riley, this was a jolt of illumination about the way the world viewed him—not as a child but as a suspect, a scammer in the making. Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 17 May 2026 In my case, that often means answering questions about trees, shrubs, flowers, lawns, and the labor-intensive world of turfgrass management. Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 3 May 2026
Adverb
Høeg, a sports medicine doctor who criticized Covid shots for children during the pandemic, served as acting director of the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research for about five months. Aria Bendix, NBC news, 15 May 2026 In 2025, Alexander traveled to Laikipia, Kenya, a county about 140 miles north of Nairobi that’s transforming into East Africa’s new center of responsible safaris. AFAR Media, 15 May 2026
Adjective
Parachutes twirl out of an inky night sky, one carrying Moulin (Gilles Lellouche), who is about to become the first president of the National Council of the Resistance. Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026 Keys marched to the ring and was about to sign the contract before Gunther took the pen away. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for about
Recent Examples of Synonyms for about
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
Preposition
  • Plus, pet owners like myself will appreciate not having to worry about our animals being around pesticides.
    Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 20 May 2026
  • There are a whopping 1,400 coconut trees around the resort, as well as a 22-acre organic garden that takes 33 groundskeepers to maintain.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 May 2026
Preposition
  • Jackson’s attendance at voluntary offseason activities has drawn attention because of its inconsistency throughout his NFL career.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2026
  • The Lambert, North Oconee and Lake Oconee Academy girls continued to extend their dominance in high school golf, while two other schools earned their first titles as the GHSA championships concluded Tuesday throughout the state.
    Stan Awtrey, AJC.com, 20 May 2026
Adverb
  • This did happen one morning and the camp staff of 8 jumped in and collectively replaced the pipework and got the water back on within 30 minutes.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 May 2026
  • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 2025, the Lone Star tick’s geographic spread extended all along the Eastern Seaboard, from Florida through central Texas in the south, up to the lower reaches of South Dakota and back across to Maine.
    Drew Pittock, USA Today, 21 May 2026
Adverb
  • The Religion News Service reports the speakers are almost entirely conservative Christians, a key part of the president’s political base.
    Joseph Bonasia, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 May 2026
  • This game may not carry the same weight, depending on the records of both teams going in, but the intrigue will almost certainly be there.
    Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Adverb
  • With over 90% of the Pelican State tally counted, Letlow was holding steady with about 44% of the vote versus Fleming's roughly 28% and Cassidy's approximately 25%.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 17 May 2026
  • Health authorities said Congo has stockpiles of Ebola treatments and approximately 2,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, though officials cautioned the vaccine is only effective against the Ebola Zaire strain and not against Sudan or Bundibugyo variants.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Adverb
  • The cleanup of the Great Molasses Flood took weeks, and, for months, everywhere that anyone had tracked molasses, including underground subway platforms, was still tacky.
    Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • Hosted by Billy Porter and Elvis Duran, the special will launch as a podcast series June 1 on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard and as an audio special airing across iHeartRadio PRIDE stations.
    Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2026
Adjective
  • The girls were aware they were being viewed and knew the reasons why; they were made more special than any other and the world wanted to experience such a treasure.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
  • Handled well, these interactions can make brands feel more relatable, culturally aware and genuinely fun to follow.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“About.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/about. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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