surrounded; surrounding; surrounds
Synonyms of surround

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to enclose on all sides : envelop
the crowd surrounded her
(2)
: to enclose so as to cut off communication or retreat : invest entry 2
b
: to form or be a member of the entourage of
flatterers who surround the king
c
: to constitute part of the environment of
surrounded by poverty
d
: to extend around the margin or edge of : encircle
a wall surrounds the old city
2
: to cause to be surrounded by something
surrounded himself with friends

surround

2 of 2

noun

: something (such as a border or ambient environment) that surrounds
… from urban centre to rural surround.Emrys Jones

Examples of surround in a Sentence

Verb A wall surrounds the old city. They had the suspect surrounded. She was suddenly surrounded by a crowd of excited fans. There's a lot of uncertainty surrounding the decision. His departure was surrounded by secrecy. Noun the vast, featureless surround of the desert was strangely appealing to him
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
In the middle of the space was a single Supersonic dryer suspended on a boom arm and surrounded by microphones. Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026 Nonetheless, no agreements have been reached yet, partly because of the complexities of the issues surrounding AI, as well as sensitivities around how Hollywood talent and unions would react, the sources said. Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
That attention to authenticity continues at the fireplace, where a traditional 1920s sunburst brick pattern remains intact under a new marble surround and quartzite slab hearth. David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026 The only position capable of contesting the expanding power and violence of the carceral surround is abolition. Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for surround

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, to flood, inundate, from Anglo-French surunder, from Late Latin superundare, to overflow, from Latin super- + unda wave; influenced in meaning by round entry 5 — more at water

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun

1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of surround was circa 1616

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Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

surround

1 of 2 verb
: to enclose on all sides : encircle

surround

2 of 2 noun
: something (as a border) that surrounds
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