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 However, global temperatures trend higher during El Niño years, as warm water adds heat into the atmosphere. — Simmone Shah, Time, 7 Oct. 2026 The festive atmosphere includes a beer garden and live music. — Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026 The fireball flared repeatedly during its descent through Earth's atmosphere, which was captured in a livestream from the town of Dragoon, Arizona operated by the trainspotting website SouthWest RailCams and shared by X user rbmichae80. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 6 Oct. 2026 Geoffrey Schmidt, senior director of entertainment and events, said the atmosphere surrounding the Braves' postseason run has been building as the series returns to Atlanta. — Jamal Goss, CBS News, 6 Oct. 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
  • This changes when moving off-center past about 30 degrees, at which point the objects show a wide aura around them.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Defined by Victorian era elements like lace and semi-sheer material with severe silhouettes and gothic styles, the dark glamour look punctuated the general edgy aura of Charli XCX’s alt pop star wardrobe.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of aura
Noun
  • As in Spain, our ambition is to make BBC content available wherever audiences choose to watch, across both streaming and FAST environments.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Both experts recommended following general sleep hygiene practices, such as maintaining an optimal environment (dark, cool and quiet), keeping a consistent sleep schedule and avoiding sleep-disrupting substances such as alcohol and caffeine.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of environment
Noun
  • The sound of the music was one thing—even when Stereolab were at their loungiest or Stars of the Lid were including the key in which a song was composed in its title, there was something like the faintest air of rock music in their experiments.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Two weeks into fighting, the unforgiving mountainous terrain, heavy Saudi and government air power, and a reenergized anti-Houthi coalition have kept the Houthi advance in check, preventing a collapse on the level of that in mid-September.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of air
Noun
  • Geoff warns Ilya to moderate his projections, emphasizing the need for safeguards, but the idealistic Russian is swept up in the vast potential of AI — to solve the climate crisis, cure cancer, even save humanity from itself.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The mountainous desert region is filled with small boutique hotels, restaurants, and wineries, as the Mediterranean-like climate is especially great for making vino.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of climate
Noun
  • The breakthrough underpins modern drug development, because mirror-image versions of the same molecule can behave differently in the body — and can even produce different smells.
    — Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The report quoted Shipilova's neighbors as saying a team of disinfection experts did several cleanups of her apartment, leaving a strong antiseptic smell.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of smell
Noun
  • It's previously made a surround-sound chair speaker too, so this isn't its first time creating an audio system.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The kit includes a 30-inch soundbar, a pair of wireless surround speakers, and a wireless subwoofer, with Dolby Atmos support for spatial audio, a rarity at this price point.
    — Brad Bourque, The Verge, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of surround
Noun
  • These casual spaces will draw you in with the aroma of baked cheese, usually with a barrel of buñuelos (perfectly round, crisp cheese balls) frying at the entrance.
    — Nikkita Nair, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Salt & Stone Santal & Vetiver Candle Salt & Stone’s best-selling santal and vetiver scent brings the aroma of a crackling bonfire, minus the excessive smoke inhalation.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of aroma
Noun
  • Instead of everybody facing one direction staring at the DJ, Savage wants the environment to be about the ambiance, the music, and the people in the space, not just who’s playing.
    — Candace Hansen, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Another of Provenza’s stylish stays, 23 Hotel, draws inspiration from the tropics, using warm lighting and earthy textures to create a restorative ambience.
    — Nikkita Nair, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 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 10 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on atmosphere

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about atmosphere

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