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 next

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

Relevance

Synonym Chooser

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

Examples 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 One persistent phenomenon of this year’s election is that the closest, most competitive House races are not located in the states with the closest, most competitive Presidential-campaign environment. —

The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024 Additionally, Berkshire Hathaway’s decision could also reflect the overall market environment, according to Aswath Damodaran, a professor of finance at NYU Stern School of Business. —

John Towfighi, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024 In combination with the mild climate, this creates an environment perfectly suited for yachting and fine living. —

Dubai Tourism Contributor, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 The outcome was expected, analysts said, given the uncertain environment surrounding Tuesday's election, leaving many market players on the sidelines. —

Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for environment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for environment

Noun

Although drought is the most urgent threat, the Northeast is also broadly getting rainier as a result of climate change, because a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture.

Denise Chow, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
On May 18, 1980, the eruption of Mount St. Helens emitted 1.5 million metric tons of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere while its pyroclastic lava flow incinerated virtually everything within a 230-square-mile radius.

Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024