atmosphere

noun

ˈat-mə-ˌsfir How to pronounce atmosphere (audio)
Definition of atmospherenext
1
as in aura
a special quality or impression associated with something the fireplace and cozy armchairs give the bookstore the atmosphere of a comfortable home

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in environment
the circumstances, conditions, or objects by which one is surrounded liked the quiet and scholarly atmosphere of his prep school

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 atmosphere However, global temperatures trend higher during El Niño years, as warm water adds heat into the atmosphere. — Simmone Shah, Time, 7 Oct. 2026 The festive atmosphere includes a beer garden and live music. — Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026 The fireball flared repeatedly during its descent through Earth's atmosphere, which was captured in a livestream from the town of Dragoon, Arizona operated by the trainspotting website SouthWest RailCams and shared by X user rbmichae80. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 6 Oct. 2026 Geoffrey Schmidt, senior director of entertainment and events, said the atmosphere surrounding the Braves' postseason run has been building as the series returns to Atlanta. — Jamal Goss, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for atmosphere
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atmosphere
  1. aura
  2. environment
  3. air
  4. climate
  5. smell
  6. surround
  7. aroma
  8. ambience
Noun
  • This changes when moving off-center past about 30 degrees, at which point the objects show a wide aura around them.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Defined by Victorian era elements like lace and semi-sheer material with severe silhouettes and gothic styles, the dark glamour look punctuated the general edgy aura of Charli XCX’s alt pop star wardrobe.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of aura
Noun
  • Our research suggests these tombs were designed and constructed not simply to house the dead, but to affect the living through a sensorily immersive environment similar to a modern 3D film experience.
    — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The United States is now demonstrating the technology in operational environments, while simultaneously placing substantial contracts for production systems.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of environment
Noun
  • The sound of the music was one thing—even when Stereolab were at their loungiest or Stars of the Lid were including the key in which a song was composed in its title, there was something like the faintest air of rock music in their experiments.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Two weeks into fighting, the unforgiving mountainous terrain, heavy Saudi and government air power, and a reenergized anti-Houthi coalition have kept the Houthi advance in check, preventing a collapse on the level of that in mid-September.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of air
Noun
  • Geoff warns Ilya to moderate his projections, emphasizing the need for safeguards, but the idealistic Russian is swept up in the vast potential of AI — to solve the climate crisis, cure cancer, even save humanity from itself.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The mountainous desert region is filled with small boutique hotels, restaurants, and wineries, as the Mediterranean-like climate is especially great for making vino.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of climate
Noun
  • The breakthrough underpins modern drug development, because mirror-image versions of the same molecule can behave differently in the body — and can even produce different smells.
    — Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The report quoted Shipilova's neighbors as saying a team of disinfection experts did several cleanups of her apartment, leaving a strong antiseptic smell.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of smell
Noun
  • It's previously made a surround-sound chair speaker too, so this isn't its first time creating an audio system.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The kit includes a 30-inch soundbar, a pair of wireless surround speakers, and a wireless subwoofer, with Dolby Atmos support for spatial audio, a rarity at this price point.
    — Brad Bourque, The Verge, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of surround
Noun
  • These casual spaces will draw you in with the aroma of baked cheese, usually with a barrel of buñuelos (perfectly round, crisp cheese balls) frying at the entrance.
    — Nikkita Nair, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Salt & Stone Santal & Vetiver Candle Salt & Stone’s best-selling santal and vetiver scent brings the aroma of a crackling bonfire, minus the excessive smoke inhalation.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of aroma
Noun
  • Meanwhile, interiors were curated by architect Andrea Faraguna under Tron’s creative direction, yielding a gallery-like ambience.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Candle warmer lamps in particular are being positioned as flame-free ambiance for daily use rather than as gift-shop items, and heated throws are showing up in reading-and-movie-night framings rather than purely as cold-weather gear.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of ambience

Browse Nearby Words

at loggerheads
atmosphere
atmosphered
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Cite this Entry

“Atmosphere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atmosphere. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on atmosphere

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about atmosphere

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