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 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
Daniels went to the line of scrimmage with around 20 seconds remaining and snapped the ball with 12 to go. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 At the simulated encampment, on the ghostly former grounds of General Motors Korea (more real-life restructuring), Lee walked around with his art director, inspecting props. — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 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 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
  • The suspect is said to have organized and carried out the detonation of at least four bombs between around 31 to 62 pounds at a depth of 230 feet to 263 feet near the Danish island of Bornholm.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Strongest winds will be near the foothills of the Santa Ana mountains.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of near
Preposition
  • This sort of puzzling connection between text and image is repeated throughout the exhibition.
    — Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Leaning into its history, Kessler has outfitted the hotel with installations that channel the Jurassic period, including life size dinosaur skeletons and fossils, backlit in a range of bright colors, displayed throughout the walls.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of throughout
Adverb
  • The governor’s mansion, Plantation House, was built in 1791 by the East India Company, and is famed today as the home of Jonathan, a tortoise from the Seychelles who is now aged about 194 and thought to be the oldest creature on Earth.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The main museum, at 1250 Bannock Street, will continue to show and conserve Still’s roughly 3,125 pieces of art (or about 93% of his lifetime work, officials said).
    — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of about
Adverb
  • Antetokounmpo also blocked a Noah Clowney dunk attempt a few minutes later, and then got the ball back for a spinning finger roll on the other end.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Already, two bipartisan groups of senators have pushed back on the decision, including seven Republicans.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of back
Adverb
  • The Royals got virtually nothing from All-Star closer Carlos Estévez.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Even closer is Slow Horses’s Rosalind Eleazar, who is the best thing about Chris Rock’s Hollywood satire Misty Green.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of close
Adverb
  • Napoleon is in his head guiding him, and partway through, another voice joins that pulls him somewhere else entirely.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Republicans in Georgia and Mississippi did not rush them through, and a gaggle of lawmakers got in the way in South Carolina, in a stand that had a whiff of Indiana’s, but with less drama and fewer headlines.
    — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of through
Adverb
  • Construction site trial succeeds The team tested the complete system at an active construction site, where a worker wore the device for approximately 165 minutes while performing normal daily activities.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Between 1990 and 2017, the Justice Department pursued approximately 305 denaturalization cases nationwide, averaging about 11 annually, according to figures previously reported by the Miami Herald.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of approximately
Adverb
  • The joy of being in DTLA is proximity to transit, putting Santa Monica, Pasadena, and everywhere in between within easy reach without necessarily needing Ubers or a rental car.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Hybridity and borderlessness are everywhere in contemporary pop music.
    — Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 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 Oct. 2026.

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