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
  • Scuffles with police were reported by unions near the main wholesale market on Madrid's outskirts.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The flexible material combines liquid gallium, a metal that melts near room temperature, with carbon nanotubes.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of near
Preposition
  • The teams traded baskets throughout much of the second half before Arenas helped USC gain separation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Nov. 2026
  • In aerospace, engineers can use digital twins to monitor aircraft engines and other complex systems throughout their operational lifetimes.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 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
  • Mosley received a technical foul for chirping back at his former player.
    — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 12 Nov. 2026
  • In central Alabama, twin 19-year-old brothers from Venezuela were arrested while driving back to college a day after the election.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of back
Adverb
  • The two reportedly grew closer after attending Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding in July, and have since made a handful of public appearances in one another’s orbit.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The Pacers responded in the third quarter, pulling closer following back-to-back 3-pointers from Aaron Nesmith that cut the score to 79-67.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 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 earthquake's epicenter was approximately 4 miles northwest of San Jacinto and occurred at a depth of 9 miles.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 Nov. 2026
  • For their prototype, the researchers built an approximately 100-inch display consisting of a transparent LED film mounted over an aluminum panel, with 80 voice coil motors (VCMs) installed behind it.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Nov. 2026
Definition of approximately
Adverb
  • Think a giant, twinkling dandelion field; technicolor hopscotch maze; fairy displays everywhere; and snazzy pathways that look straight out of a South Beach nightclub.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 13 Nov. 2026
  • There was blood everywhere, said a guy in the compartment to my left, an Austrian.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 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 15 Nov. 2026.

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