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
According to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, 13 of the people charged were Penn State students at or around the time of the drug trafficking ring, which ran from 2023 to 2024. — Michael Guise, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 Sports team owners typically keep or stay in business with their teams for decades, further fueling speculation around Walter’s decision to sell. — Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Adverb
Locals living around the landfill had been given eviction notices, but many were still around at the time of the disaster, according to authorities. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026 The South Korean boy band returns to the summit of the Billboard 200 this time around with yet another collection as This & That arrives. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Adjective
These leather lace-up sneakers have arch-supporting memory foam insoles and flexible outsoles for all-around comfort on long travel days. — Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025 Knocking down webs on your porch and around entries will encourage spiders to move on to somewhere else. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025 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
  • Like many ships using this new tactic, the Kiku reappeared a day after its transponder turned off while anchored near the Emirati port city of Fujairah.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The body of a missing 63-year-old grandmother from New York City was found near Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, police said Friday.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of near
Preposition
  • The model tends toward certain word choices repeatedly throughout a text, embedding a pattern that is meant to be perceptible only to someone with the key.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Temperatures remain in the triple digits throughout the weekend and moving into the next week.
    — Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of throughout
Adverb
  • The forecast has Moke’s center about 200 miles south of the Big Island later on Sunday during its closest approach.
    — Tyler Ory, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • On the battlefield, Zelenskyy was optimistic, saying Ukraine had almost completely regained control of the Dnipropetrovsk region, with only about 10 square kilometers and three small villages remaining outside Ukrainian control.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of about
Adverb
  • Last week, amid trade talks with the US, Carney asked premiers to consider bringing US alcohol back to store shelves in hopes of reaching a deal.
    — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Tiafoe used the time break before the third set to stretch and receive massage treatment on his upper left leg and lower back.
    — Jeff Wallner, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of back
Adverb
  • With those sessions behind the team, the season creeps closer.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Although when seen up close or for prolonged periods, the digital dinos are remarkably bland and unimpressive — I was reminded of the notoriously bad CGI in the woeful Ray Bradbury movie A Sound of Thunder (2005).
    — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of close
Adverb
  • Return the sausage to the skillet and cook for another 2–3 minutes until heated through.
    — Sharon Lawson, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • If the minority sale were to go through, Jeanie Buss would no longer be governor, the official title for an NBA team’s controlling owner.
    — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of through
Adverb
  • Prior to entering the pharmacy, an approximately three-minute drive from the family’s home, evidence presented in court showed Patrick sent an email, then went inside the store.
    — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The crash happened at Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport, approximately 450 miles west of Anchorage.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of approximately
Adverb
  • There are steps everywhere, apart from the restaurant, and access on and off the boats can be a bit tricky.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Red continues to reign, appearing everywhere from bright turtlenecks by brands like Celine and Lii to bold red dresses.
    — Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 21 Aug. 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 24 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of around for Spanish Speakers

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