Thesaurus results for ENVIRONMENT

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

environment

noun

in-ˈvī-rə(n)-mənt

Definition of environment

as in surroundings

the circumstances, conditions, or objects by which one is surrounded the joys of growing up in the environment that a small town offers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Oyamel firs thrive in cool, moist, mountainous environments, usually between 1,200 and 4,100 meters (3,940–13,450 feet) above sea level, where fog and precipitation are common. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026 Suddenly corporate bonds priced for a super low yield environment at record-tight spreads didn't look so appealing and spreads began to widen. — Justin Zacks, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 In addition, Laika worked alongside New Zealand’s Wētā FX to create the movie’s stunning digital environments and visual effects. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 Luke Cancilla, a runner and physical therapist who works primarily with endurance runners and cyclists, said Hains Point is a particularly safe environment because there are fewer obstacles such as traffic, stoplights and sidewalks. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for environment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for environment

Noun

An untitled 2026 work, featuring a bromeliad goddess, inhabits a different atmosphere.

— Tatiane de Assis, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Rooms Las Alcobas offers a moody-luxe atmosphere with a touch of Mexican influence throughout its 35 surprisingly spacious suites and three penthouses, where dark rosewood and fresh, fragile orchids take center stage.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of atmosphere

Noun

In early 2025 Garrett Boudinot, a geochemist who founded alkalinity company Vycarb, argued on the climate news site Carbon Herald that mCDR should be measured directly.

— Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Also in 2025, Chanel published its first Climate Transition Plan, which set out priority actions for achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 and building long-term operational and supply chain resilience to climate risks.

— Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of climate

Noun

An electric fireplace and lots of glazing round out the space, and the timber shiplap finish and faux stone fireplace surround are a nice touch, lending it a cabin-like look.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026
The porcelain faces on the surround are from the Chelsea Flea.

— Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of surround

Noun

Like a lot of his contemporaries, Skino’s raps depend on rhythmic stasis and the context and fervor of his disses more than his ability to assemble a rhyme scheme or a clever punchline.

— Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026
For context, the XM5 uses eight microphones, and the XM6 has 12, along with the newer QN3 processor.

— Christian de Looper, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of context

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environments

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“Environment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/environment. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of environment

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Synonyms of environment

noun

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