about 1 of 3

preposition

Definition of aboutnext
1
as in regarding
having to do with a poignant story about a young man who goes off to war

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in around
close to about the hedge there was a picket fence

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in throughout
in random positions within the boundaries of sparrows hopping about the lawn near the bird feeder

Synonyms & Similar Words

about

2 of 3

adverb

ə-ˈbau̇t How to pronounce about (audio)
1
as in round
on all sides or in every direction people standing about waiting for a salesclerk to assist them

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in back
toward the opposite direction turned about and saw the dog following him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in almost
very close to but not completely about as many attendees as last year signed up for the conference

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in approximately
close to but not exactly it's about a mile to the nearest gas station we're about ready to get started

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in everywhere
in one place and another his garage was a dirty, cluttered place with various tools and engine parts just lying about

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

about

3 of 3

adjective

as in aware

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 about
Preposition
That’s added to the BOK’s worries about an overheating economy. — William Pesek, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026 There’s a lot of panic right now about the bumpy intersection of artificial intelligence and art-making. — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Adverb
Additionally, about 3% to 6% of people have a skin allergy to neomycin, a key ingredient in most antibiotic ointments, according to the National Institutes of Health. — Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 Casey’s is closing in on 3,000 stores, nearly half of which sit in towns of 5,000 people or fewer and about two-thirds in towns under 20,000. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Adjective
All of which is beating around the bush on the way to say that the set was pretty unassailable for an abridgement of what is about to come on tour. — Chris Willman, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026 Now, the man accused of helping dispose of both their bodies and contributing to Laura’s death is about to stand trial. — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for about
Recent Examples of Synonyms for about
  1. regarding
  2. around
  3. throughout
  4. back
  5. almost
  6. approximately
  7. everywhere
  8. aware
Preposition
  • Metro Police detectives are continuing to investigate the shooting, and are in contact with the District Attorney’s Office regarding charging decisions.
    — Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Was any decision made regarding reducing Partey’s media obligations?
    — James McNicholas, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Definition of regarding
Preposition
  • Assertive Mars clashes with your ruler Saturn, highlighting tension around your home, family, or the amount of emotional labor each person carries.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • On the left, Harvey Barnes is currently first-choice, while Newcastle agreed a deal potentially rising to around £50million for Bazoumana Toure in July.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of around
Preposition
  • There are water stations scattered throughout the grounds too.
    — Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Not just muscles throughout their bodies, but tissues in their bones, liver, and brain.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of throughout
Adverb
  • Michael Mankins and Matthew Crupi want value maximization back as the objective, with stakeholder commitments as hard or soft constraints.
    — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • This is where the episode finally loops back on itself, with the recruiter laying out a black hole on the ground, revealing the mall to be a kind of pocket universe.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of back
Adverb
  • Brentford have almost qualified for Europe in the past two seasons.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Carley Garner, a commodity market strategist and broker at DeCarley Trading, said smaller futures and oil ETFs such as the United States Oil Fund (ticker USO) have made speculation possible for traders at almost any level of experience or funding.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of almost
Adverb
  • Centcom forces have helped facilitate the transit of approximately 1,500 commercial vessels and 750 million barrels of crude oil over the past several months, Cooper said.
    — Sam Meredith,Lim Hui Jie,Mike Sheen, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The wheel, approximately a foot and a half in diameter, weighed 150 to 200 pounds.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of approximately
Adverb
  • In a world where music is everywhere and constantly available, there is something increasingly powerful about creating a space where people stop and really listen.
    — Jesse Kirshbaum, SPIN, 28 Aug. 2026
  • After, there was a clear reduction in crashes, particularly fatal or serious injury accidents, which roundabouts everywhere have seen, Bryson said.
    — Susan Bromley, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of everywhere
Adjective
  • No one should underestimate the mortal significance of medical discreetness; researchers are well aware that many patients risk their own health due to the stigma associated with requiring medical help.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Most law firms are likely not even aware of Google’s new offerings, and yet the capabilities and benefits appear to be substantial – and cost-effective.
    — Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of aware

Phrases Containing about

Browse Nearby Words

abounds
about
about-face
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“About.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/about. Accessed 4 Sep. 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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
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
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All