Synonym Chooser

How is the word environment distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of environment are background, milieu, mise-en-scène, and setting. While all these words mean "the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs," environment applies to all the external factors that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental, or moral development.

the kind of environment that produces juvenile delinquents

When is it sensible to use background instead of environment?

The meanings of background and environment largely overlap; however, background often refers to the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon or development.

the shocking decision was part of the background of the riots

When is milieu a more appropriate choice than environment?

In some situations, the words milieu and environment are roughly equivalent. However, milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons.

an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation

When might mise-en-scène be a better fit than environment?

While in some cases nearly identical to environment, mise-en-scène strongly suggests the use of properties to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect.

a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scène

When could setting be used to replace environment?

While the synonyms setting and environment are close in meaning, setting suggests looking at real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms.

a militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social setting

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 environment Equipped with a full-length Picatinny-style rail, the rifle can mount telescopic, infrared, or night-vision optics, significantly improving accuracy in low-light or complex environments. Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025 These aren’t static environments. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025 In volatile business environments, this early-warning capability provides tremendous competitive advantages. Jack McCullough, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025 Maybe a gentle nudge was all America needed to shift its food environment for the better. Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for environment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for environment
Noun
  • The athletics track surrounding the pitch at the London Stadium certainly does not help, meaning supporters are a long way from the action and the atmosphere suffers as a result.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Two of the missions with uncertain futures monitor carbon dioxide levels in the Earth's atmosphere.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Cannon-Brookes is urging Australia to show more ambition on climate action, even as the new government legislates plans to strengthen the country’s carbon emissions cuts.
    Jordan Novet, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Signs throughout the museum ask visitors to consider how the climate has changed the course of human evolution, and how humans have affected the environment around them.
    BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The post shows what claims to be an iPhone 17 chassis made of metal, with the surrounds for the iPhone’s cameras and the camera panel itself made of metal, not glass.
    David Phelan, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • This one burns wood and has an impressive surround and mantle.
    James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 17 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • When isolated statistics are presented without context in the media, there is every reason to conclude that data does not offer anything valuable to the conversation.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Viewers will get more context when the next episode airs Tuesday.
    David Wysong, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Environment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/environment. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on environment

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