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
At halftime of Saturday night’s Northwestern-Iowa game, four college-age Irish kickers will take to Ryan Field to complete a competition that started with 1,000 athletes booting balls around Ireland. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 7 Nov. 2026 The holiday-season buzz is especially visible around Costco's pumpkin pie, a Costco staple that Edelblum said benefits from the retailer's bulk purchasing and in-house bakery production. — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
Adverb
In total, Sure Sports is currently servicing around 50 to 100 loans worth an aggregate value between $150 million and $200 million. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 2 Nov. 2026 Trump’s approval rating is near historic lows this time around, the poll found. — Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Adjective
When a bat population crashes, fewer bats are around to eat bothersome insects. — The Conversation, Fortune, 14 May 2026 Winfrey isn’t the only fan of the kicks—they’re backed by podiatrists thanks to their ample arch support, plush insoles, and all-around comfort. — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026 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
  • After a heated debate, the State Water Resources Control Board voted unanimously late Wednesday to approve the water right permit for the reservoir near the community of Maxwell.
    — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • On the contrary, the seaMSR-100 operates near atmospheric pressure at temperatures between 600°C (1,112°F) and 700°C (1,292°F).
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of near
Preposition
  • Multiple light fixtures throughout facility lacking protective shield.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Adorable boutiques, vintage shops, and cafés are featured throughout the downtown area.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of throughout
Adverb
  • The city distributed about 800 sandbags during the event at Marina Green by noon, with officials expecting to hand out at least 1,000 by the end of the day.
    — Da Lin, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • And a major academic publisher, Elsevier, reported submissions to its journals jumped about 68% from 2021 to 2025.
    — TODD WALLACK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of about
Adverb
  • The Times reached out to the actor’s representatives for details including the birth date and gender of the child but did not hear back.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • An auditor flagged those expenses, and the state later clawed them back.
    — Julie Watts, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of back
Adverb
  • Kipruto won the men’s race in the event’s closest-ever finish while wearing the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 2.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 1 Nov. 2026
  • An altar is the place where something precious is ceded so something sacred can be drawn close.
    — Seth Limmer, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of close
Adverb
  • Cut Week will mark the biggest elimination in The Voice history, when each coach will send two singers straight through to Live Shows as five more contestants battle for one remaining spot on each team.
    — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The donor layer absorbed visible light, while the transparent acceptor layer allowed sunlight to pass through.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of through
Adverb
  • The research team cited a potential energy density of around 600 watt-hours per kilogram, compared with approximately 150–250 Wh/kg for standard lithium-ion batteries.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Investigators allege Maniscalco stole approximately $80, a gold chain, a gold Seiko watch, a gold bracelet and keys to several vehicles, including a 2026 Chevrolet Corvette, a 2026 GMC Sierra and a 2016 Cadillac Escalade.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of approximately
Adverb
  • Soon after winning its banking license in 2023, Ueno seemed to be everywhere in Paraguay.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2026
  • While those are microaggressions women everywhere and in every industry can relate to, Abdy shared more examples specific to the movie business.
    — Marc Malkin, Variety, 6 Nov. 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 8 Nov. 2026.

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