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

The airport had a heavy police presence, with all entrances blocked, and lights around the complex were dimmed. — Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026

These chic open-toe sandals have thin spaghetti-style straps that loop around the ankle and lower foot. — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2026

Adverb

The pandemic initially appeared to offer an opportunity for that reset, with conversations emerging around shifting wholesale calendars, forecasting and other longstanding industry practices. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026

At the same time, the proportion of China’s population aged 65 and older will surge, doubling from 15 percent today to around 30 percent in the 2040s, and then rising to well over 40 percent by the late twenty-first century. — Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026

Adjective

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

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

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