as in campgrounds
a place where a group of people live for a short time in tents or cabins
a recreational area that will serve as this year's encampment for the Scouts' jamboree
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 encampments
In the absence of shelters and other arrangements, California has allowed public spaces to host homeless encampments.
—
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Fewer large encampments this year, Bas said, and more people scattered alone or in smaller communities.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Since 2024, outreach teams have cleared 250 downtown encampments and shifted focus to permanent housing to try to reduce strain on the county jail and hospitals.
—Tracey McManus, Dallas Morning News, 21 Jan. 2026
Breaking up encampments will not be possible if there are no beds for the homeless residents, experts explained.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 17 Jan. 2026
The area is prone to brush fires, thanks to thick vegetation and the presence of homeless encampments.
—Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 2026
Gloria cited a nearly 14% reduction in unsheltered homelessness based on the point-in-time count by the Regional Task Force on Homelessness, a reduction in downtown tent encampments and the opening at H Barracks of the city’s largest Safe Parking site for people living in vehicles.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2026
The city agreed to create 12,915 beds of housing or shelter and to remove 9,000 homeless encampments by June of 2027.
—Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Will Indiana ban homeless encampments?
—Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 15 Jan. 2026
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Fewer large encampments this year, Bas said, and more people scattered alone or in smaller communities.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Since 2024, outreach teams have cleared 250 downtown encampments and shifted focus to permanent housing to try to reduce strain on the county jail and hospitals.
—Tracey McManus, Dallas Morning News, 21 Jan. 2026
Breaking up encampments will not be possible if there are no beds for the homeless residents, experts explained.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 17 Jan. 2026
The area is prone to brush fires, thanks to thick vegetation and the presence of homeless encampments.
—Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 2026
Gloria cited a nearly 14% reduction in unsheltered homelessness based on the point-in-time count by the Regional Task Force on Homelessness, a reduction in downtown tent encampments and the opening at H Barracks of the city’s largest Safe Parking site for people living in vehicles.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2026
The city agreed to create 12,915 beds of housing or shelter and to remove 9,000 homeless encampments by June of 2027.
—Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Will Indiana ban homeless encampments?
—Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encampments
Noun
-
The only other in-park lodging options are the Long Pine Key and Flamingo campgrounds.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
-
About 28 people showed up at the Northern Outdoors campgrounds in Forks, Maine.—
Jennifer Liu,
CNBC,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Best Places to Stay The overnight options in this part of the Adirondacks range from campsites and old-school cottages to cabins and hotels.—
Lauren Breedlove,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Many prime Michigan state park or recreation area campsites are already booked for the Fourth of July, but some Michiganders may still be able to get a campsite for the holiday if they aren't set on the most popular locations.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Schools were closed, books were burned, educators were beaten and sometimes killed, political rivals were jailed or sent to re-education camps.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Lucy Kasdin, a volunteer and the deputy director of health and housing services for Alameda County, noted a June 2024 Supreme Court decision allowing cities to sweep homeless camps even when no shelter is available.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encampments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encampments. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
