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Synonyms

surrounding

American  
[suh-roun-ding] / səˈraʊn dɪŋ /

noun

  1. something that surrounds.

  2. surroundings, environing things, circumstances, conditions, etc.; environment.

    He was too sick to be aware of his surroundings.

  3. the act of encircling or enclosing.

adjective

  1. enclosing or encircling.

  2. being the environment or adjacent area.

Related Words

See environment.

Etymology

Origin of surrounding

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English: literally “inundation”; see origin at surround, -ing 1, -ing 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Surrounding rock that lacked this reinforcement gradually eroded away, leaving behind the web-like network visible today.

From Science Daily • Mar. 14, 2026

Surrounding areas of Bissau were more deserted, and there were few people in reopened markets, AFP journalists said.

From Barron's • Nov. 28, 2025

Surrounding beaches would also be closed for 24 hours while drones surveilled the area, it said.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2025

Surrounding hillsides, significantly denuded of plant life, are dotted with scores of freshly cut stumps.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 10, 2025

Surrounding him are other Dauntless, some of whom I have seen in the Pit, some of whom I have never seen before.

From "Divergent" by Veronica Roth

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.