as in encircles
to form a circle around
she was surrounded by cheering fans within moments of scoring the winning goal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in surroundings
the circumstances, conditions, or objects by which one is surrounded
the vast, featureless surround of the desert was strangely appealing to him
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 surrounds
Carter Bahns, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
That is certainly true of Harwood Park, an urban oasis that deftly incorporates and activates the historic architecture that surrounds it, forming an appealing place for public events and play.
—Mark Lamster
architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
By tracking that glow, scientists can trace not just bright galaxies but also the diffuse gas that surrounds and connects them.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 5 Mar. 2026
With excellent eats, a vibrant arts scene, and natural escapes in the heart of the city, Reno is just as unique as the terrain that surrounds it.
—Ted Alvarez, Outside, 4 Mar. 2026
The normal matter within those globular clusters gets blown away, ejected from the dark matter halo that surrounds them.
—Big Think, 3 Mar. 2026
Beef tallow, by the way, is the fat that surrounds a cow’s kidney.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
However, Annie’s proven wrong with a flurry of activity, as a community of knowledgable, empathic volunteers quickly surrounds her.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026
Because substantial uncertainty surrounds the effects of cannabis use during pregnancy, calls to reconsider punitive policies should not be interpreted as tacit endorsement of prenatal cannabis use.
—Lauren Micalizzi, STAT, 2 Mar. 2026
Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
His 1965 Danziger Studio, a live-work space on Melrose Avenue, featured an uninterrupted stucco façade that blended seamlessly into the urban surrounds.
—News Desk, Artforum, 11 Dec. 2025
The best spas in the world offer soothing surrounds, standout hospitality and treatment menus that are equal parts traditional and unique.
—Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
While some neighborhoods have gotten attention, the progress has been uneven and isn't reaching the same critical mass of development and redevelopment success that has benefited the downtown area and its surrounds.
—Dana Afana, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Much of the focus since the Premier League’s newest venue opened last month has understandably been on its space-age design, and how this temple of glass and steel near the mouth of the River Mersey looks so out of place with its surrounds.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
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
Verb
Tight end Colston Loveland will also factor heavily into the passing game as Chicago surrounds Caleb Williams with young weapons on a similar career timeline.
—Carter Bahns, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
That is certainly true of Harwood Park, an urban oasis that deftly incorporates and activates the historic architecture that surrounds it, forming an appealing place for public events and play.
—Mark Lamster
architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
By tracking that glow, scientists can trace not just bright galaxies but also the diffuse gas that surrounds and connects them.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 5 Mar. 2026
With excellent eats, a vibrant arts scene, and natural escapes in the heart of the city, Reno is just as unique as the terrain that surrounds it.
—Ted Alvarez, Outside, 4 Mar. 2026
The normal matter within those globular clusters gets blown away, ejected from the dark matter halo that surrounds them.
—Big Think, 3 Mar. 2026
Beef tallow, by the way, is the fat that surrounds a cow’s kidney.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
However, Annie’s proven wrong with a flurry of activity, as a community of knowledgable, empathic volunteers quickly surrounds her.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026
Because substantial uncertainty surrounds the effects of cannabis use during pregnancy, calls to reconsider punitive policies should not be interpreted as tacit endorsement of prenatal cannabis use.
—Lauren Micalizzi, STAT, 2 Mar. 2026
Noun
The boy squire shines bright in the otherwise drab surrounds of the tourney campgrounds.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
His 1965 Danziger Studio, a live-work space on Melrose Avenue, featured an uninterrupted stucco façade that blended seamlessly into the urban surrounds.
—News Desk, Artforum, 11 Dec. 2025
The best spas in the world offer soothing surrounds, standout hospitality and treatment menus that are equal parts traditional and unique.
—Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
While some neighborhoods have gotten attention, the progress has been uneven and isn't reaching the same critical mass of development and redevelopment success that has benefited the downtown area and its surrounds.
—Dana Afana, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Much of the focus since the Premier League’s newest venue opened last month has understandably been on its space-age design, and how this temple of glass and steel near the mouth of the River Mersey looks so out of place with its surrounds.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surrounds
Verb
-
Instead, a bright ring of sunlight encircles the moon's silhouette, often called a 'ring of fire'.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The trail encircles a large, ADA-accessible playground and also provides views of the South Bend skyline.—
Erika Ebsworth-Goold,
Midwest Living,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The study makes clear that the $194 million figure encompasses the economic impact of the entire Sac State athletic program with football at the FBS level for one academic year.—
Michael McGough,
Sacbee.com,
8 Mar. 2026
-
From evergreen staples from Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo to modern takes from Toteme and The Row (and even a few unexpected picks in bubblegum pink and firetruck red), their wishlist encompasses a lot of bridal styles; and, more importantly, a lot of bridal events.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In order to arrive at our eyes (or instruments), a signal has to go through a wide variety of environments.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The computational models of the framework are built on recordings of parkour, a popular sport that requires participants to use various athletic skills to navigate different environments.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Charles then circles around the cruiser and onto a sidewalk, which puts a barrier of snow between him and Jones, who can be seen standing in the street.—
Kellie Love,
Hartford Courant,
3 Mar. 2026
-
As the camera circles the car, two other portions of Kennedy’s speech play in the background.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Cala Pregonda, Menorca Just an island over from the tourist-trodden Mallorca, Menorca feels a world away—a sentiment that rings even more true in the north of the island.—
Catherine Tansey,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Both funny and deeply powerful, The Big Sick shows the reality of romance with a heartfelt love story that rings true.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Cash flow from Mauve's operations will help Blue Skies Space complete the development of its next mission, called Twinkle, a 220-pound (100-kilogram) satellite designed to directly observe nearby exoplanets and measure the compositions of their atmospheres.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
3 Mar. 2026
-
In these walls of white noise, Martin channels Paysage d’Hiver, a Swiss black-metal artist who has made a whole career—and a lot of lore—out of approximating winter storms through blindingly white guitar fuzz and overwhelming dark-ambient atmospheres.—
Andrew Ryce,
Pitchfork,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Brown embraces political outsider status Brown, 47, who also serves as Matteson village clerk, said she was propelled into politics when her son contracted an environmental illness tied to water quality that nearly took his life.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
-
That's the idea behind the Tecno Atom Moda Edition, a phone that embraces magnetic modularity.—
Eric Zeman,
PC Magazine,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surrounds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surrounds. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
