Synonyms of about

about 1 of 3

preposition

1

as in regarding

having to do with

a poignant story about a young man who goes off to war

Synonyms & Similar Words

• regarding
• concerning
• on
• toward
• of
• with regard to
• respecting
• with respect to
• in regard to
• touching
• as for
• as regards
• in view of
• in respect to
• as to
• as far as
• apropos
• apropos of
• over

2

as in around

close to

about the hedge there was a picket fence

Synonyms & Similar Words

• around
• near
• beside
• by
• at
• next door to
• along
• across
• next to
• toward
• nigh
• alongside
• circa

3

as in throughout

in random positions within the boundaries of

sparrows hopping about the lawn near the bird feeder

Synonyms & Similar Words

• around
• throughout
• over
• across
• on
• through
• round

about

2 of 3

adverb

ə-ˈbau̇t 

1

as in round

on all sides or in every direction

people standing about waiting for a salesclerk to assist them

Synonyms & Similar Words

• around
• round
• everywhere
• all over
• abroad
• hereabouts
• everyplace
• afloat

2

as in back

toward the opposite direction

turned about and saw the dog following him

Synonyms & Similar Words

• around
• back
• down
• backward
• round
• behind
• downward
• across
• rearward
• counter
• reversely
• counterclockwise
• athwart
• obversely
• widdershins

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clockwise
• deasil

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

• almost
• nearly
• practically
• most
• just about
• fairly
• virtually
• somewhere
• pretty much
• much
• next to
• mostly
• within an inch of
• more or less
• near
• fair
• all but
• feckly
• well-nigh
• as good as
• mainly
• nigh
• borderline
• largely
• chiefly
• somewhat
• partly
• partially
• appreciably
• by and large
• kind of

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• quite
• entirely
• fully
• completely
• thoroughly
• absolutely
• altogether
• well
• totally
• wholly
• plain
• utterly
• barely
• plumb
• hardly
• scarcely

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

• approximately
• roughly
• around
• say
• some
• much
• like
• nearly
• somewhere about
• after a fashion
• somewhere around
• near
• plus or minus
• more or less
• generally
• practically
• loosely
• virtually
• nominally
• kind of
• well-nigh

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• exactly
• precisely
• even
• just
• due
• sharp
• squarely
• smack-dab

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

• everywhere
• around
• here and there
• throughout
• high and low
• all over
• right and left
• far and wide
• passim
• ubiquitously
• everyplace

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nowhere

about

3 of 3

adjective

as in aware

Related Words

• aware
• up
• astir
• aroused
• conscious
• roused
• awakened
• sleepless
• wakened
• awake
• wakeful
• revived
• rousted
• insomniac
• wide-awake
• reawakened

Dissimilar Words

• sleeping
• resting
• dormant
• dreaming
• asleep
• nodding
• sleepy
• unawakened
• drowsy
• somnolent
• slumbering
• napping
• dozing
• slumberous
• dozy
• hypnotized
• mesmerized

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of about

Preposition

Some of them were criticized as having inadequate living conditions, and there were also concerns about authorities failing to thoroughly vet sponsors with whom some children were placed. —Sophie Austin, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026

Meanwhile, fellow young suburban mother Taylor (Pedretti) is facing similar problems, simply trying to get through the day while unable to shake profound fears about her very existence. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 June 2026

Adverb

The sweetness of the Deborah-Ava relationship eventually became a nice blanket in which Hacks swaddled its viewers, its cozy intent pervading not just the narrative but just about every other aspect of the show. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 May 2026

This would reduce building costs by around US$5,000 to $10,000, or about 4% to 8% of the average cost of a new unit. —Alex Schwartz, The Conversation, 29 May 2026

Adjective

But just as the trial was about to begin, a judge threw out the case — calling the police methods entrapment. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2026

Federal prosecutors said the men entered casinos in Los Angeles County with fake identities to scout for victims who looked like winners or who were about to cash in their chips. —Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026

Phrases Containing about

• beat about the bush
• bring about
• cast about (for)
• come about
• get about
• hang about
• just about
• set about
• somewhere about