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 majority of these strikes happen during the summer, causing around 20 fatalities each year, according to the NWS. — Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026 Iran’s bargaining chip Authorities in Iran have repeatedly used the Strait of Hormuz – through which around a fifth of the world’s crude flowed before the war – as a bargaining chip. — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
Adverb
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and striker Romelu Lukaku are still around from that Belgium team. — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 5 July 2026 Ritolia estimates Russian gasoline production is currently running at around 20% below domestic demand because of the Ukrainian strikes, with refinery runs (the amount of crude oil refineries are processing) at multi-year lows. — Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Adjective
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 These leather lace-up sneakers have arch-supporting memory foam insoles and flexible outsoles for all-around comfort on long travel days. — Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025 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
  • Crews have been seen unloading equipment from trucks this week — much of it covered or obscured — and barricades have been placed near the perimeter of the arena.
    — Meriam Bouarrouj, NBC news, 4 July 2026
  • Run a fan near seating and dining areas to keep flying pests off ‌food and guests.
    — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Definition of near
Preposition
  • New reads abound for your vacation tote throughout the weeks of July, with fiction picks featuring a Carnival cruise casualty, a highly entertaining jewel heist at the Waldorf-Astoria, and a Soviet-era madcap adventure.
    — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • The sumptuous design extends throughout the property, from the dining room, adorned with Murano glass chandeliers and wall sconces, to the moody bar and lounge with its fine wood paneling and custom ironwork.
    — Tia Lovisa Moreira, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026
Definition of throughout
Adverb
  • Hernandez, 29, a contractor based in Franklin, about 20 miles south of Nashville, undertook the $380 project with furniture from HomeGoods after seeing his pet spend most of her life tucked away in a little corner.
    — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • Back in the arena, Kaw-Liga lasts about five seconds on the mini bull.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Definition of about
Adverb
  • Schjelderup, who assisted the second goal, too, jumped onto Haaland’s back again and pointed down at him, as if anyone in MetLife Stadium that day, or anyone watching at home, needed to know where to direct their attention.
    — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 6 July 2026
  • Now back in King’s Landing, Corlys is distracted at best, meeting with Rhaenyra’s small council to address the crown’s nonexistent funds — the latest on a long list of problems that need solving for the new Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.
    — Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 6 July 2026
Definition of back
Adverb
  • Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice should continue in midfield, but Jude Bellingham must drop closer during build-up.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • When the two ends are brought close together, the magnet helps the connector automatically align and snap into place.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 July 2026
Definition of close
Adverb
  • Thorough cooking kills the virus, so cook eggs and meat all the way through and skip raw milk.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
  • The manicure lets the natural tones of your nail peek through, and has been spotted on the likes of Zoë Kravitz (painted by celebrity manicurist Jin Soon Choi) and Kylie Jenner (created by nail artist Zola Ganzorigt).
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 2 July 2026
Definition of through
Adverb
  • Set on nearly three acres, the approximately 6,100-square-foot residence featured six bedrooms and seven bathrooms, along with a semicircular living room, marble floors, and lush grounds anchored by a pool and loggia.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 July 2026
  • From July 2025 to now, this number fell to approximately 5% of export sales, or about 1,000 cases.
    — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of approximately
Adverb
  • The retro ensemble caught the attention of fans and press everywhere.
    — Morgan Evans, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Pull-on pants are everywhere this summer, offering a welcome alternative to uncomfortable, constrictive options.
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 3 July 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 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on around

Nglish: Translation of around for Spanish Speakers

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

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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

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

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

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
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All