Synonyms of around

around 1 of 3

preposition

1

as in near

close to

I wouldn't stand around those rocks—there could be snakes under them

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

2

as in throughout

in random positions within the boundaries of

huge, strangely shaped rocks were scattered around the canyon floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

• throughout
• across
• over
• about
• on
• through
• round

around

2 of 3

adverb

ə-ˈrau̇nd 

1

as in about

on all sides or in every direction

he looked around

butterflies were flying all around

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

2

as in back

toward the opposite direction

she turned around and saw him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clockwise
• deasil

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

• close
• in
• near
• nearby
• by
• within call
• at hand
• at close quarters
• nigh
• along
• hard
• alongside
• on one's doorstep
• hereabouts
• conveniently
• hereaway
• thereabouts
• handily
• accessibly

4

as in through

from beginning to end

a team that plays all year around

Synonyms & Similar Words

• through
• over
• throughout
• round

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nowhere

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

• existing
• extant
• existent
• living
• operating
• alive
• busy
• active
• functioning
• working
• flourishing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dead
• gone
• destroyed
• extinct
• departed
• nonextant
• lost
• defunct
• nonexistent
• idle
• exterminated
• inactive
• inert
• kaput

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of around

Preposition

With its octagonal clusters of flats arranged around a central water tower that looks like a fist raised against the sky, the neighborhood doesn’t have much spirit of community. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026

But there’s also something beautiful about a place that doesn’t organize every day around urgency. — Alicia Sanchez, CNBC, 26 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

Phrases Containing around

• all around
• around the bend
• around the corner
• beat around the bush
• bring around
• cast around (for)
• come around
• fool around
• get around
• hang around
• horse around
• horsing around
• kick around
• mess around
• run circles around
• run rings around
• screw around
• somewhere around
• stick around