as in environment
the circumstances, conditions, or objects by which one is surrounded young, innovative artists thrive in the freewheeling milieu that a big city offers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word milieu distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of milieu are background, environment, mise-en-scène, and setting. While all these words mean "the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs," milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons.

an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation

Where would background be a reasonable alternative to milieu?

Although the words background and milieu have much in common, 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 it sensible to use environment instead of milieu?

The meanings of environment and milieu largely overlap; however, 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

In what contexts can mise-en-scène take the place of milieu?

While the synonyms mise-en-scène and milieu are close in meaning, 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 can setting be used instead of milieu?

The words setting and milieu can be used in similar contexts, but 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 milieu And with the cultural milieu of models on the runway in that decade, even if challenges remained, designers and tastemakers knew the moment was noteworthy. Tonya Blazio-Licorish, WWD, 31 Jan. 2025 The prosecution of Russell also offers insight to how American law enforcement and intelligence agencies collaborate with their foreign counterparts to combat the transnational far-right milieu that spawned the Terrorgram Collective. Ali Winston, WIRED, 29 Jan. 2025 This episode furnishes just enough Nadine nonsense to up the fun factor and highlights once again what rarefied milieux Elsbeth and Kaya navigate each week. Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024 By the ’90s, as the AIDS epidemic devastated precisely the artistic and LGBT+ communities that made up Atlas’s milieu, much of his work became forged by a sense of loss, danger, and violence. Beatrice Loayza, ARTnews.com, 6 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for milieu
Recent Examples of Synonyms for milieu
Noun
  • The broader market environment favors this separation, with Middleby RemainCo aiming to capitalize on the increasing adoption of automation, ventless kitchens, and digitalized food service operations.
    Joe Cornell, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Adjusting your sleep practices and environment can help set you up for a successful night's sleep.
    Carley Millhone, Health, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Fewer people on the slopes is also a huge bonus for skiers and the mountain atmosphere is much more relaxed.
    Roger Sands, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Serving many different customers The advantages of such a platform include superior image quality, less congested orbits, and natural debris removal as inoperable satellites are pulled down into Earth's atmosphere and burnt up.
    Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The season so far has set an interesting context leading up to the COTA race.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Morrison provides just enough context via on-screen text, explaining how the murder of Laquan McDonald four years earlier had created tensions between police and the public.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • That effort to address the climate crisis could further tighten supplies of coffee beans.
    Kate Gibson, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2025
  • For more climate and environment news, follow @Sammy_Roth on X and @sammyroth.bsky.social on Bluesky.
    Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • But the new copy released nationwide via Janus has been finished in crisp digital 4K with a new 5.1 surround soundtrack.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Perhaps its most enviable detail, however, was the stunning wood-burning fireplace that sat in a corner of the living room, with an intricate brick surround that stretched up to the second floor.
    Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 25 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Milieu.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/milieu. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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