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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
The third round of Premier League matches brought yet more controversy, including an unpunished kick to the head in a London derby and confusion around a goal disallowed for handball. — Graham Scott, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Adverb
Including state spending, the program now costs around $1 trillion annually. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2026 Jameson Williams had multiple drops and a bobbled end-around leading to a TFL. — Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 14 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 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
  • Trump also plans to build a triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery and is eyeing a golf course renovation along the Potomac River.
    — MATTHEW DALY, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Consumer sentiment continues to languish near record lows and fell earlier this month to its second-lowest reading in data that goes back more than 70 years.
    — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of near
Preposition
  • Such a result would likely create barriers to Trump's legislative agenda and send a signal about public opinion on the president's policy mix throughout his second presidential term.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Airline operations across the UK have reportedly resumed following an air traffic control failure that cancelled over 2,000 flights and left hundreds of thousands of travelers stranded at airports throughout the country.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of throughout
Adverb
  • At about midnight, the mayflies stopped flying and the fish disappeared.
    — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Karina, a former Category 4 hurricane spinning about 755 miles east-northeast of Hilo, Hawaii, and Tropical Storm Marie, churning about 705 miles west of the southern tip of Baja California.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of about
Adverb
  • For multi-generation families that want to stay together, Benton Cottage offers the perfect base, containing four bedrooms and bathrooms, a living room, dining room, kitchen, and enclosed back yard.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Bronwyn’s mother, Muzzy, who was lambasted all of last season for being cold and arguably cruel to her daughter, is notably softer in her first scene back — though the bob is as cunty as ever.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of back
Adverb
  • Over the past few days, the people at the front of the lines have gradually moved closer and closer to the courtroom, to the point where the doors can barely open without bumping into a throng of people.
    — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
  • One minute, the Cardinals led 4-0 with two outs in the ninth and an All-Star closer (Riley O’Brien) on the mound.
    — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of close
Adverb
  • The open center gives hand towels or bath sheets somewhere to loop through, rather than inevitably slipping onto the floor, and the handmade stoneware can hold up to 10 pounds.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Translated for running backs, don’t rush getting to the hole created by the offensive line, but absolutely burst through after arriving.
    — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of through
Adverb
  • Scaling remains the next test By the end of 2025, China had approximately 32,000 fuel-cell vehicles in operation.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The mausoleum, measuring 55 feet along each side and 16 feet high, is approximately 600 years old, dating to a period just before or possibly during the Inca conquest of the region in the mid-1400s.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of approximately
Adverb
  • And sometimes, a new coiling direction dominates seemingly everywhere across the oceans all at once in the fossil record.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Four decades later, the band’s music is still everywhere, including television, social media and streaming platforms like Spotify, where Journey has more monthly listeners than Bruce Springsteen, U2 or Bob Dylan.
    — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 2026.

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