world

noun

ˈwər(-ə)ld How to pronounce world (audio)
Definition of worldnext
1
as in humanity
human beings in general the whole world is waiting to see how this crisis will play out

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in globe
the celestial body on which we live worried about the effects of pollution on the world

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in universe
the whole body of things observed or assumed theories about the origin of the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in galaxy
a huge physical or conceptual distance they have ideas for the new project that are a world away from his own

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 world Palestinians have been systematically dehumanized, along with the broader Arab and Muslim world, to serve the foreign policy objectives of governments without questioning the moral and legal implications. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026 The right retail partner can act like a media channel, amplifying a brand world in front of the right customer. — Rhea Cartwright, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026 People in these communities don’t interact much with the wider world. — STAT, 2 Oct. 2026 Something fundamental about our world changed when the Beatles arrived in 1964, and the reverberations will continue forever. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for world
Recent Examples of Synonyms for world
  1. humanity
  2. globe
  3. universe
  4. galaxy
  5. people
  6. planet
  7. nature
  8. way
Noun
  • When clients or surrogates travel to California for important medical milestones, Tang and Sonnenberg are often there themselves—arranging schedules, accompanying appointments, and ensuring that days defined by medicine retain a sense of humanity.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2026
  • There was a time when science fiction made a bet on humanity.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of humanity
Noun
  • Yet all that hobnobbing and globe-trotting may not work this time for Digger, a climate change satire in which Cruise plays a Texas oil tycoon.
    — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026
  • With the fan and light turned off, check for loose globes, shades, bulbs, finials, or other decorative pieces.
    — Tricia Goss, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of globe
Noun
  • Evidence of 'heavy seeds' in the early universe There is currently some debate regarding how black holes first started growing in the infant cosmos.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Gio Giovanni Gerosa While knitwear and colorful silk dresses remain at the center of Giovanni Gerosa’s universe, his brand’s latest collection nudged the designer’s penchant for craftsmanship into new territories.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of universe
Noun
  • These rogue black holes can be displaced when their home galaxies collide and merge.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • On the surface, there is no obvious connection to George Lucas’ franchise, but the story’s origin is actually deeply rooted in a galaxy far, far away.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of galaxy
Noun
  • Another 13 people were wounded on downtown Sacramento’s K Street and 10th Street, in what became the deadliest mass shooting in the city’s history.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
  • Organizers say more than 125,000 people are expected throughout the event, bringing in millions of dollars for the local economy.
    — Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Definition of people
Noun
  • This opaqueness from earlier in the season pays off in the form of John recounting the brutal methods the Manhunter used to decimate this planet, involving a fear gas that made people kill one another and jump to their deaths.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026
  • None of the 13 earlier test flights have been intended to make it into orbit, but with the 14th flight, SpaceX is hoping Starship will circle the planet.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of planet
Noun
  • Passengers will enjoy the amenities and seamless nature of private jet travel at a fraction of the cost.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The characters discuss the addictive nature of dark magic multiple times.
    — Selome Hailu, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of nature
Noun
  • Jocelyn Bioh’s School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play isn’t a musical, but about two-thirds of the way through, there’s a sing-off that’s both a gleeful showstopper and a wry metatheatrical treat.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Vaccine skepticism is also in some ways an outgrowth of our modern wellness culture.
    — Nicholas Florko, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of way

Phrases Containing world

Browse Nearby Words

workwomen
world
world-beater
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“World.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/world. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 2

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name tags
Words Named After People Quiz Find out who’s behind "leotard," "morphine," an...
See All