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 If thrown in the trash, these materials can harm the environment and contaminate groundwater. Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Jan. 2025 Jack Nelson, an art faculty member with a strange obsession with the moon, encouraged artists to measure the value of work by the level of risk taken, creating an environment that was just what Bill needed. David A. Ross, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2025 Leaders must articulate a family’s vision and foster an environment of continuous education. Francois Botha, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024 But War Child’s work goes beyond that to focus on users living in environments with severely degraded, if not destroyed, infrastructure. Nicholas Gordon, Fortune Asia, 29 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for environment 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for environment
Noun
  • Fire tornadoes occur when intense wind combines with conditions in the atmosphere to produce clouds of smoke that reach 20,000 to 40,000 feet, Swain said.
    Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2025
  • The researchers suggest that these white lights arise due to a combination of heating in the ionosphere due to the surrounding aurora, as well as the chemiluminescence of some other gases in the atmosphere, possibly nitrogen dioxide.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Berkeley Earth estimates that there's just a 1 in 100 chance of that occurring due to the climate's internal variability.
    John Timmer, Ars Technica, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Additionally, the emphasis on outdoor living, with these types of homes utilizing courtyards, loggias, and terraces, makes the Mediterranean style perfect for the climate of South Florida.
    Lauren Gallow, Architectural Digest, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • To the right is the living room, where there’s a gas fireplace with a jade-green tile surround and an ornate wood mantel with a mirror.
    Angela Serratore, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025
  • The chapel reflected the Gothic Revival style with a high gabled slate roof, long, narrow Gothic arched windows with limestone surround and brick turret buttresses at the corners, according to the St. Joseph Historic Area Preservation Plan from 1991.
    Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • His collage-like editing, which emphasizes nature (trees, skies, seas, animals) along with drama, places actors in the context of a world rather than centering his cinematic world on acting.
    Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
  • This change coincides with the wider cultural context of a new Trump administration that has actively heightened discussions about online freedom of expression.
    Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near environment

Cite this Entry

“Environment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/environment. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on environment

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