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
Jamal, meanwhile, was allegedly handing over information about his clients to the FBI. — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026 One is reminded of Toni Morrison, whose refusal to pander to the dominant gaze — whose insistence on writing about Black characters without regard for whoever else might be reading — unlocked its own kind of universality. — Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Adverb
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic, about 650 miles from North Carolina. — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 4 Oct. 2026 Pull-down kitchen faucets, with a much lower $147 average selling price, have seen sales decline about 3%. — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Now, decades later, Snider was winding down his career, and Prevost was about to participate in a conclave to elect the next pope. — Scott Detrow, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026 There’s no way around the fact that thousands of employees across the former Paramount and WBD are about to get pink-slipped. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Oct. 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
  • There are currently around 1,000 new Pip claims submitted every day in the UK; about 34% are successful.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Riley was a direct inspiration on the record, and while the Bay Area composer did work with drones, his influence is more poignant here, in the way Schwendener breaks the melody down into pieces and moves them around.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of around
Preposition
  • Miami’s defense had some timely stops throughout the game, yet the offense was unable to reciprocate.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
  • That costs additional money—both London teams this past week set up headquarters for fans, with current and former players participating in events throughout the lead-up to the game—and also provides some additional income.
    — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of throughout
Adverb
  • However, sustained gold purchases by central banks continue to provide crucial underlying support, potentially propelling prices back toward roughly 4,400 dollars per ounce by year end.
    — , CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Alibi was made back in 2021, but five years later comes the chance for the international market to find out whodunnit.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of back
Adverb
  • The gain comes almost entirely from the tech space, with big chipmakers like Advanced Micro Devices and Marvell Technology leading the rally.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The Crocodile hosts live music almost every night of the year in its 750-person venue.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of almost
Adverb
  • Functional connectivity in the fetal brain develops substantially later in gestation, with measurable differences in brain activity and facial responses to noxious versus innocuous stimulation appearing at approximately 33 weeks.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Passengers traveling from Manhattan can also connect to the BLADEone aircraft at Westchester County Airport by helicopter, with BLADE advertising the helicopter transfer at approximately 12 minutes.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of approximately
Adverb
  • These recommendations apply every time and everywhere the baby sleeps.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Today, experiential exists everywhere a consumer comes in contact with a brand, threaded through product, media, social, digital, talent and culture.
    — Alvin Stafford, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of everywhere
Adjective
  • In 2001, authorities became aware of the discrepancies surrounding Jamal’s immigration history, and he was eventually convicted of lying to immigration officials.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Painfully aware of this, Shawn waited for one of the drunk old men to comment, heckle, make one of those incomprehensible jokes that drew rude laughter from adults.
    — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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