1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

around 1 of 3

preposition

Definition of aroundnext
1
as in near
close to I wouldn't stand around those rocks—there could be snakes under them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in throughout
in random positions within the boundaries of huge, strangely shaped rocks were scattered around the canyon floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

around

2 of 3

adverb

ə-ˈrau̇nd How to pronounce around (audio)
1
as in about
on all sides or in every direction he looked around butterflies were flying all around

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in back
toward the opposite direction she turned around and saw him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in close
at, within, or to a short distance or time our dog usually stays around our yard he'll be getting in around 6:00

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in through
from beginning to end a team that plays all year around

Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in approximately
close to but not exactly there's around a hundred books still left to be packed in boxes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in everywhere
in one place and another while typewriters can still be seen around, they are no longer the common office fixtures they once were

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

around

3 of 3

adjective

as in existing
having being at the present time she's generally regarded as one of the most talented singers around

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 around
Preposition
The group has expanded attacks in the region, including strikes against Saudi targets, raising concerns about disruptions around the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another key chokepoint for global commerce. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2026 German long-distance driver Rainer Zietlow drove the series-production electric van from Hanover, Germany, around the world and back. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
Adverb
His parents, both surgeons, moved around a lot and Liu would often get bored, turning to drawing to pass the time. — Lavender Au, ARTnews.com, 21 Sep. 2026 Germany’s growth prospects have improved, with economic expansion of around 1% expected, Kenningham said by email. — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026
Adjective
The footbed is also treated with an antimicrobial shield, and the forefoot features plush cushioning for all-around comfort. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026 But the around 2,000-year-old religion had a noticeable expansion of its presence in Detroit during the rise of the auto industry. — Julia Avant, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for around
Recent Examples of Synonyms for around
  1. near
  2. throughout
  3. about
  4. back
  5. close
  6. through
  7. approximately
  8. everywhere
Preposition
  • Trump also plans to build a triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery and is eyeing a golf course renovation along the Potomac River.
    — MATTHEW DALY, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Consumer sentiment continues to languish near record lows and fell earlier this month to its second-lowest reading in data that goes back more than 70 years.
    — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of near
Preposition
  • The case sparked a nationwide discussion about motherhood and feminism throughout the summer.
    — Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Next, the researchers plan to do broader studies that can track exposure throughout pregnancy and examine whether the associations can be replicated across different populations.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of throughout
Adverb
  • The 2023 rate was about 58%, the third-lowest of any suburban municipality, meaning the city fell $24 million short of target.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The more likely outcome is that his payments will raise our annual national deficit, which is projected to reach $2 trillion by the end of the year, by about 50 percent--and add to the country's $40 trillion national debt.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of about
Adverb
  • For multi-generation families that want to stay together, Benton Cottage offers the perfect base, containing four bedrooms and bathrooms, a living room, dining room, kitchen, and enclosed back yard.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Bronwyn’s mother, Muzzy, who was lambasted all of last season for being cold and arguably cruel to her daughter, is notably softer in her first scene back — though the bob is as cunty as ever.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of back
Adverb
  • The anime’s first part closed with the disturbances tied to the body-swap curse largely resolved, and with Reirin and Keigetsu having grown closer after coming to understand each other through the experience.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Portland took an early lead, but the Pride showed fight and kept it close before collapsing in the last 20 minutes.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of close
Adverb
  • Model data continues to show another shortwave moving through, bringing another chance for rain rates high enough to cause some flooding with training showers.
    — Ron Smiley, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Tagging studies found that recaptured juveniles were far more likely to linger and grow on the floodplain, around 72 days, than to pass straight through.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of through
Adverb
  • The country's population of adult citizens is approximately 248 million.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Shea ordered a portion of Baker’s federal sentence to be served consecutively to his state sentences, giving him a total effective federal sentence of approximately 222 months in prison.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of approximately
Adverb
  • But in his first flush of success in the late 1960s and early 1970s, his murallike tableaus of flowers, the cosmos and cartoonish figures -- all in vivid colors like turquoise, orange and neon green -- seemed to be everywhere.
    — BETH J. HARPAZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Temperatures peak at 90 degrees in Orlando and Leesburg, while being in the high 80s everywhere else.
    — Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of everywhere

Phrases Containing around

Browse Nearby Words

arose
around
around the bend
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/around. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
crayons-in-a-circle
Guess the Color Quiz Questions that use the whole box of crayons.
See All