Thesaurus results for ENVIRONMENT

Q: How is the word 'environment' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of environment are background , milieu , mise-en-scène , and setting . While all these words mean "the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs," environment applies to all the external factors that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental, or moral development. // the kind of environment that produces juvenile delinquents

Q: When is it sensible to use 'background' instead of 'environment'?

The meanings of background and environment largely overlap; however, background often refers to the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon or development. // the shocking decision was part of the background of the riots

Q: When is 'milieu' a more appropriate choice than 'environment'?

In some situations, the words milieu and environment are roughly equivalent. However, milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons. // an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation

Q: When might 'mise-en-scène' be a better fit than 'environment'?

While in some cases nearly identical to environment , mise-en-scène strongly suggests the use of properties to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect. // a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scène

Q: When could 'setting' be used to replace 'environment'?

While the synonyms setting and environment are close in meaning, setting suggests looking at real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms. // a militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social setting

environment

noun

in-ˈvī-rə(n)-mənt

Definition of environment

as in surroundings

the circumstances, conditions, or objects by which one is surrounded the joys of growing up in the environment that a small town offers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word environment distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of environment are background, milieu, mise-en-scène, and setting. While all these words mean "the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs," environment applies to all the external factors that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental, or moral development.

the kind of environment that produces juvenile delinquents

When is it sensible to use background instead of environment?

The meanings of background and environment largely overlap; however, background often refers to the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon or development.

the shocking decision was part of the background of the riots

When is milieu a more appropriate choice than environment?

In some situations, the words milieu and environment are roughly equivalent. However, milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons.

an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation

When might mise-en-scène be a better fit than environment?

While in some cases nearly identical to environment, mise-en-scène strongly suggests the use of properties to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect.

a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scène

When could setting be used to replace environment?

While the synonyms setting and environment are close in meaning, setting suggests looking at real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms.

a militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social setting

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 environment Albarran, who launched an online petition to save the school, argues that the institution provides a vital, intimate learning environment. — Ted Scouten, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 The people featured in the 11th annual installment of this uplifting exercise help the less fortunate, tend to the environment, tempt our taste buds, help budding entrepreneurs thrive, minister to the downtrodden and more. — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 For whatever reason, the rain or maybe the environment, the underdogs have performed better than expected in the classic. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026 Missouri ranked 48th in safety, 36th in economic environment and 50th in driving laws, according to the study’s metrics. — Joseph Hernandez august 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for environment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for environment

Noun

The smoke is not expected to affect any major airports, even though smoke from a loft will remain in the atmosphere on Wednesday.

— Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
Outside the shrines, though, the atmosphere is almost festive.

— Jane Arraf, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of atmosphere

Noun

All the climate stories in this show are part of the desire to be authentic, but also speak to what our audiences are living through.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Barnard said studies have shown that Pacific storms generate about 30% more wave energy during an El Niño year compared to a year without the climate cycle.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of climate

Noun

Inside is a sea of gold, covering the full-width instrument panel and gauges, the radio surround, and dash-top ash tray.

— Howard Walker, Robb Report, 31 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of surround

Noun

Putellas’ new team-mate Nikita Parris, who has won two top-tier titles and a Champions League in her career, suggests an athlete’s mental steel endures regardless of the context.

— Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
With time dissipating memories of Lahti’s final days, there are few living people left to put into context the rumors of the bar fight, and even a less likely chance that the assailant is still alive.

— Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of context

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environing

environment

environments

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“Environment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/environment. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of environment

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Synonyms of environment

noun

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