about 1 of 3

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
Stause also had a fallout with her best friend Emma Hernan after her new boyfriend made deplorable comments about the LGBTQ+ community. Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025 Imagine me at lunch or dinner breaks on that movie, sitting between the two of them—Peyton and Bradley—knowing little to nothing about football. Clayton Davis, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Adverb
Food systems now account for about a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, but scientists say regenerative agriculture and climate-smart farming can help flip that into a future where farms also help grow climate solutions. Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025 According to the Nevada Northern Railway, guests typically get to view around four objects, and the entire experience lasts about three hours. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
The office recently visited Piper High School to help students that are about to turn 18 get registered to vote in their first election. Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2025 The Lakers often used the trio in Horns alignments last season, as well as Ram screens (player screens for the player who is about to set a ball screen) and Stack actions. Khobi Price, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025 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
  • In September, Vanity Fair wrote a story detailing new revelations around his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson’s correspondence with the disgraced financier.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Helm waits around for the skies to clear.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
Preposition
  • An emergency order by the FAA on Thursday said airlines have to cut traffic by 4%, resulting in about 800 flight cancellations for Friday that increased to over 1,000 throughout the day, according to FlightAware.
    Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
  • But Miami ended the third ahead 94-88 and kept control throughout the fourth, keeping its lead in double figures for the final six minutes.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Adverb
  • Union Square, which was to be my neighborhood for the next twenty-five years, was off limits after dark back then.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
  • In a live video, Khan indicated that there is a rich history with the National Championship, extending back to the days of Georgia Wrestling, which Schiavone was associated with.
    Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Adverb
  • Cuomo’s desperate campaign — almost certainly his last — tried to knit together a coalition of Republicans, independents, and Democrats worried that a socialist mayor would wreck their city and their party.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Filler shots of chauffeurs, champagne and colossal walk-in closets with pristine designer clobber glistening and gleaming from glass shelves centred around trays and trays of priceless jewels assault the viewer’s senses between almost every scene.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
Adverb
  • At the inaugural event held in May, music professionals voted — with some category exceptions — to determine winners across 62 categories (including six major awards) from a pool of approximately 3,000 entries.
    Billboard Japan, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The nation controls approximately 73% of the global cobalt refining capacity.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025
Adverb
  • The research was thrilling and of great interest to archaeologists everywhere, according to Stephen Houston, a professor of anthropology at Brown University in Rhode Island.
    Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Our assignment everywhere is to send the strongest fighters for the working class wherever possible.
    Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Tesla has implemented autopilot and self-driving features on its vehicles that include traffic-aware cruise control, semi-autonomous navigation, response to traffic lights and the ability to summon the car from a parking space.
    Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Pregnant people may only experience mild symptoms like fever, fatigue and muscle aches, but should be aware that listeria could cause miscarriages, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of their newborn.
    NPR, NPR, 4 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“About.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/about. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.

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