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 deciding score came minutes later, with Florida’s star running back, Jadan Baugh, sprinting around the right side of the line. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026 Offensive line shuffled up Dykes said in earlier in the week that TCU looked at everything throughout the program during the 2-3 start and would make the necessary adjustments to try and turn things around. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2026
Adverb
Daniels went to the line of scrimmage with around 20 seconds remaining and snapped the ball with 12 to go. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 At the simulated encampment, on the ghostly former grounds of General Motors Korea (more real-life restructuring), Lee walked around with his art director, inspecting props. — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Adjective
When a bat population crashes, fewer bats are around to eat bothersome insects. — The Conversation, Fortune, 14 May 2026 Winfrey isn’t the only fan of the kicks—they’re backed by podiatrists thanks to their ample arch support, plush insoles, and all-around comfort. — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026 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
  • The suspect is said to have organized and carried out the detonation of at least four bombs between around 31 to 62 pounds at a depth of 230 feet to 263 feet near the Danish island of Bornholm.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Strongest winds will be near the foothills of the Santa Ana mountains.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of near
Preposition
  • Cups and bowls used as utensils to dispense food throughout kitchen.
    — NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Crown molding, used throughout much of the home, adds an additional elegant touch.
    — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of throughout
Adverb
  • In Lyon, France's third-largest city where about 20,000 protesters joined the march, a fire broke out inside a tourist office.
    — SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The incident occurred along the 3700 block of Gardenia Avenue, where police received a call about two shots being fired in a nearby residence, Long Beach Police said in a statement.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of about
Adverb
  • Antetokounmpo also blocked a Noah Clowney dunk attempt a few minutes later, and then got the ball back for a spinning finger roll on the other end.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Already, two bipartisan groups of senators have pushed back on the decision, including seven Republicans.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of back
Adverb
  • The Brewers even have their own version of the White Flag trade, dealing star closer Josh Hader to the Padres for four players with the team in first at the 2022 deadline.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Any lead is comfortable for All-Star closer Bryan Baker, but four runs was a walk in the park.
    — Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of close
Adverb
  • Napoleon is in his head guiding him, and partway through, another voice joins that pulls him somewhere else entirely.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Republicans in Georgia and Mississippi did not rush them through, and a gaggle of lawmakers got in the way in South Carolina, in a stand that had a whiff of Indiana’s, but with less drama and fewer headlines.
    — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of through
Adverb
  • The manufacturer lists approximately 2,485 miles with a 40,000-pound payload.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The ticket purchase limit for that concert was between four and eight, prosecutors said, and REPS allegedly made approximately $833,323 in profit by reselling those tickets.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of approximately
Adverb
  • Best Buy’s iPhone Duo Preorder Deals Like everywhere else, preorders for the iPhone Duo at Best Buy are also now live.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
  • But in fashion, demand often peaks much earlier, when a piece is new, in season or suddenly everywhere because a creator wore it.
    — Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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