atmosphere

noun

ˈat-mə-ˌsfir How to pronounce atmosphere (audio)
Definition of atmospherenext
1
as in aura
a special quality or impression associated with something the fireplace and cozy armchairs give the bookstore the atmosphere of a comfortable home

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in environment
the circumstances, conditions, or objects by which one is surrounded liked the quiet and scholarly atmosphere of his prep school

Synonyms & Similar 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 atmosphere With just 112 luxury rooms and suites, the resort maintains an atmosphere of seclusion, calm, and understated exclusivity. — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2026 The positive atmosphere in the dressing room is another factor praised by the player’s entourage. — Pol Ballús, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Eventually, by the time the story reaches the 1950s, and Landau is visited by a friend released from prison, that same atmosphere follows him home, in the form of minor interactions tinged with an air of paranoia. — Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026 Seabourn is reinventing itself and shedding any stodgy atmosphere in favor of a younger, more active experience. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for atmosphere
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atmosphere
  1. aura
  2. environment
  3. air
  4. climate
  5. smell
  6. surround
  7. aroma
  8. ambience
Noun
  • The scale of its attack on the United States gave al-Qaeda an aura of momentum and outsize influence within the jihadi movement and beyond.
    — Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The aura of regimented cool that Vanhée created at the Row caught the attention of Hermès executives.
    — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of aura
Noun
  • Start with the environment A person does not necessarily need to abandon technology to create a more sleep-supportive evening.
    — Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Renowned investor Stanley Druckenmiller, a long-time mentor to current US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, characterized the current environment as a war for capital.
    — , CNBC, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of environment
Noun
  • Eachus studied the air temperature, heat indexes and peak temperatures for games at Texas, Tulsa, Alabama, Georgia, Nebraska and Iowa.
    — Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Zelensky has previously stressed said that an acute shortage of air defense interceptors has left Ukraine vulnerable to ballistic missile attacks.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of air
Noun
  • In the 2002 midterms, Republicans again bucked the historical trend, gaining seats in both chambers following the post-9/11 political climate.
    — Cal Thomas, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Bloomberg reported last month that Chinese authorities are mulling a bid to host the UN climate summit in 2028.
    — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of climate
Noun
  • Rarely has a film so resourcefully evoked the transportive but decidedly analog thrill of reading; rarely has the warmly musty smell of research libraries and archives somehow wafted with such sense-memory precision off a cinema screen.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Ecology officials fined Nippon $4,500 in 2024 for releasing excessive amounts of sulfur dioxide, a poisonous gas with a strong smell.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of smell
Noun
  • Dashes of yellow surround the branding, while a bright red shade is used subtly on the outsole as well as the black shoelaces.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Inside is a sea of gold, covering the full-width instrument panel and gauges, the radio surround, and dash-top ash tray.
    — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of surround
Noun
  • The Midcentury Modern library where Rosales first inhaled the aroma of old books has changed.
    — Myriam Gurba, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Inside, the aroma of maple wood erupts as a knife's handle is put through its band saw paces.
    — Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of aroma
Noun
  • Thoughtful design elements appear everywhere, from the art and photography collection that spurs conversation to the living room ambiance of the main lounge.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026
  • What a night that was by Lake Michigan — full of ambience, emotion and stadium-shaking theatrics as the Bears continued their remarkable season.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of ambience

Browse Nearby Words

at loggerheads
atmosphere
atmosphered
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Cite this Entry

“Atmosphere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atmosphere. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on atmosphere

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about atmosphere

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