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

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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 Intellisense Systems will develop goggles that allow aircrews to continue flying in environments where a nuclear flash could otherwise disrupt a mission. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026 But this advice relies on the safety of our lived environment. — Corinne Low, Time, 7 Aug. 2026 Legitimate Messages Must Outnumber Disinformation The information environment surrounding litigation requires active management. — Alona Karpinska, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 The Caribbean is a rich environment for cruise fans seeking the newest, hottest ships, like the new Four Seasons yacht. — Scott Laird, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for environment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for environment

Noun

Smoke higher in the atmosphere will also start to spread farther east, especially this weekend.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
After launch, the glide vehicle separates from the rocket booster and travels through the atmosphere at speeds above Mach 5 while making course adjustments.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of atmosphere

Noun

Kia America The X-Line SX’s available heated and ventilated seats, driver memory system, heated steering wheel, panoramic roof and surround-view camera would not have appeared in a mainstream subcompact SUV a few years ago.

— Karl Brauer, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
One skyscraper amidst a sea of them, the Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero blends in with its surrounds.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 July 2026

Definition of surround

Noun

For context, Luze is a small hotel chain and restaurant group from next-door Navarre, and Luze San Sebastián is the brand's first serious move into luxury hotels.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
For context, the median private SaaS company generates about $141,000 of revenue per employee, while the leading AI-native companies are running at twenty times that or more.

— Michael Wee, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of context

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environment

environments

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“Environment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/environment. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of environment

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Synonyms of environment

noun

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Articles Related to environment

'Gaslighting,' 'Woke,' 'Democracy,' and...

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