as in encircles
to form a circle around
she was surrounded by cheering fans within moments of scoring the winning goal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in surroundings
the circumstances, conditions, or objects by which one is surrounded
the vast, featureless surround of the desert was strangely appealing to him
Synonyms & Similar 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 surrounds
Tom Davies, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026
Such is the kind of spotlight that surrounds human trafficking during Super Bowl week.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
Most patients show changes in the fluid that surrounds the brain, commonly seen in other viral brain infections.
—Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
On the medal, the Virgil inscription surrounds a young man sitting under a laurel tree, listening to the Muse, and writing down her song.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
However, the focus most certainly will lie beyond the interest rate decision and future guidance and into an unprecedented web of intrigue that surrounds the meeting.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
Soaking chia seeds results in a gel-like coating, called mucilage, that surrounds the seeds.
—Team Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 27 Jan. 2026
Where Eiffeland really brings the design home is in its comprehensive trim, installing a plank-style headliner front to back, along with real wood cabinetry faces, window surrounds and wall trim.
—New Atlas, 25 Jan. 2026
This theory, as a 2015 study from the Journal of Anatomy describes, surrounds the fact that as Homo sapiens emerged, their faces became smaller and flatter over time, as compared to earlier hominins.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
His 1965 Danziger Studio, a live-work space on Melrose Avenue, featured an uninterrupted stucco façade that blended seamlessly into the urban surrounds.
—News Desk, Artforum, 11 Dec. 2025
The best spas in the world offer soothing surrounds, standout hospitality and treatment menus that are equal parts traditional and unique.
—Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
While some neighborhoods have gotten attention, the progress has been uneven and isn't reaching the same critical mass of development and redevelopment success that has benefited the downtown area and its surrounds.
—Dana Afana, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Much of the focus since the Premier League’s newest venue opened last month has understandably been on its space-age design, and how this temple of glass and steel near the mouth of the River Mersey looks so out of place with its surrounds.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
The post shows what claims to be an iPhone 17 chassis made of metal, with the surrounds for the iPhone’s cameras and the camera panel itself made of metal, not glass.
—David Phelan, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
Political candidates from around Indiana have been redoing paperwork for this spring’s primary ballot as confusion surrounds whether the secretary of state’s office properly processed those forms.
—Tom Davies, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026
Such is the kind of spotlight that surrounds human trafficking during Super Bowl week.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
Most patients show changes in the fluid that surrounds the brain, commonly seen in other viral brain infections.
—Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
On the medal, the Virgil inscription surrounds a young man sitting under a laurel tree, listening to the Muse, and writing down her song.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
However, the focus most certainly will lie beyond the interest rate decision and future guidance and into an unprecedented web of intrigue that surrounds the meeting.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
Soaking chia seeds results in a gel-like coating, called mucilage, that surrounds the seeds.
—Team Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 27 Jan. 2026
Where Eiffeland really brings the design home is in its comprehensive trim, installing a plank-style headliner front to back, along with real wood cabinetry faces, window surrounds and wall trim.
—New Atlas, 25 Jan. 2026
This theory, as a 2015 study from the Journal of Anatomy describes, surrounds the fact that as Homo sapiens emerged, their faces became smaller and flatter over time, as compared to earlier hominins.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
The boy squire shines bright in the otherwise drab surrounds of the tourney campgrounds.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
His 1965 Danziger Studio, a live-work space on Melrose Avenue, featured an uninterrupted stucco façade that blended seamlessly into the urban surrounds.
—News Desk, Artforum, 11 Dec. 2025
The best spas in the world offer soothing surrounds, standout hospitality and treatment menus that are equal parts traditional and unique.
—Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
While some neighborhoods have gotten attention, the progress has been uneven and isn't reaching the same critical mass of development and redevelopment success that has benefited the downtown area and its surrounds.
—Dana Afana, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Much of the focus since the Premier League’s newest venue opened last month has understandably been on its space-age design, and how this temple of glass and steel near the mouth of the River Mersey looks so out of place with its surrounds.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
The post shows what claims to be an iPhone 17 chassis made of metal, with the surrounds for the iPhone’s cameras and the camera panel itself made of metal, not glass.
—David Phelan, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surrounds
Verb
-
The trail encircles a large, ADA-accessible playground and also provides views of the South Bend skyline.—
Erika Ebsworth-Goold,
Midwest Living,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Many travelers choose to explore the area via the Ring of Kerry, the scenic drive that encircles the peninsula.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Kindergarten readiness encompasses the foundational skills necessary to engage in a more formal learning environment, said Ohio State University educational psychology professor Laura Justice.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The supply plan encompasses multiple sub-brands, including Qiyuan, Deepal, Avatr, and Uni, thereby positioning the technology for broader adoption across various vehicle segments.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This special finish allows the torch to shift colors by reflecting the environments it is carried through, whether that be Milan’s bright city lights or the peaks of the Dolomites.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The research team aims to explore how the patches can enhance situational awareness and monitor exposure for military personnel in hazardous environments.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The polar vortex is a persistent, large-scale cyclone that circles the Arctic and contains extremely cold air.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Feb. 2026
-
But this award, which was inaugurated in 2023 with a Jesso win, circles the same handful of writers, and country scribes like Jessie Jo Dillon, pop bards like Amy Allen, and reggaeton men-at-arms like Edgar Barrera are just as up next.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Applause rings out, cheers and whoops are abundant.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Payton’s perception of him then rings true in the present.—
Trevor Woods,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That playful approach is also evident in the 1990s trend of product advertisements by auteurist filmmakers like Jean-Luc Godard and David Lynch, who brought their signature styles and atmospheres to commercials for shoes, video games, and more.—
Michael Cowan,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
-
These planets are similar in size to Neptune and have thick atmospheres rich in hydrogen and helium surrounding denser, ice-rich interiors.—
Eliza Strickland,
IEEE Spectrum,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But as Wall Street embraces tokenization, or issues different digital assets on blockchains, Bogart believes TRM will be able to weather any impending downturn.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The album, released just over a year ago, embraces rhythms native to Puerto Rico, like plena and salsa, and centers the island’s colonial history.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surrounds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surrounds. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
