abound

verb

ə-ˈbau̇nd How to pronounce abound (audio)
abounded; abounding; abounds
Synonyms of abound

intransitive verb

1
: to be present in large numbers or in great quantity : to be prevalent
a business in which opportunities abound
errors and inconsistencies abound
2
: to be copiously supplied
—used with in or with
… life abounded in mysteries …—Norman Mailer
institutions abound with evidence of his success—Johns Hopkins Magazine

Synonyms of abound

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Examples of abound in a Sentence

They live in a region where oil abounds. a city that abounds with art museums and private galleries
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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.
And even if great-power conflict could be avoided, intracivilizational violence would abound. — Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026 The summer off-season is an incredible time to explore Park City, where hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking and golf opportunities abound. — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Other differences abound, including how clubs treat impairments (write-downs) of player values and what figure is included as revenue in the respective calculations. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 In 2026, the debate of how much of yourself to surrender to technology abounds. — Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abound

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abounden, borrowed from Anglo-French abunder, borrowed from Latin abundāre "to overflow, be full, be plentifully supplied (with)," from ab- ab- + undāre "to rise in waves, surge, flood," verbal derivative of unda "wave" — more at water entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of abound was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing abound

Rhymes for abound

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Cite this Entry

“Abound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abound. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

abound

verb
ə-ˈbau̇nd How to pronounce abound (audio)
1
: to be present in large numbers or in great quantity
wildlife abounds
2
: to be filled or abundantly supplied
a stream abounding in fish
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