as in environment
the circumstances, conditions, or objects by which one is surrounded young, innovative artists thrive in the freewheeling milieu that a big city offers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Synonym Chooser

How is the word milieu distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of milieu are background, environment, mise-en-scène, and setting. While all these words mean "the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs," milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons.

an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation

Where would background be a reasonable alternative to milieu?

Although the words background and milieu have much in common, 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 it sensible to use environment instead of milieu?

The meanings of environment and milieu largely overlap; however, 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

In what contexts can mise-en-scène take the place of milieu?

While the synonyms mise-en-scène and milieu are close in meaning, 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 can setting be used instead of milieu?

The words setting and milieu can be used in similar contexts, but 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 milieu The only human participant is the person who established the milieu. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2024 But this gangland milieu is also a love story, as Tae-gu takes temporary refuge on the beautiful Jeju Island with an older mobster and his terminally ill niece, Jae-yeon (Jeon Yeo-been). Megan Vick, EW.com, 28 Sep. 2024 Town Square emerges as a complex social milieu with its own rules, and its own consequential choices. The New Yorker, 12 June 2024 In the early two-thousands, American indie films drifted away from hedged yards and time-shares and toward the twee apartments of the mumblecore milieu. Elena Saavedra Buckley, The New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for milieu 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for milieu
Noun
  • The decline is attributed to the higher interest rate environment.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
  • The certification process is aimed at compatibility with the business security environment, especially compatibility with access control solutions like Opswat’s own MetaAccess.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
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
Noun
  • However, during a complex scene with a lot of context, complicated wording, and ambiguity about what is going on, more cognitive effort is required.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2024
  • These snug garments were once used primarily in medical contexts to improve circulation, especially in people with damage to their leg veins (say, due to a condition called chronic venous insufficiency).
    Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • This conservative-leaning economic report ranks states on business climate and economic performance.
    Jonathan Lansner, Orange County Register, 14 Nov. 2024
  • Drivers reportedly complained about touchscreen systems adding in at times annoying levels of friction to simple functions like climate control and music.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Mournful guitar and subdued harmonies surround, making this one of Nelson’s most evocative vocal renderings.
    Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2024
  • Upgrading your entertainment system with the JBL Bar 1000, a soundbar that doesn't just include a powerful subwoofer, but also features two detachable surround speakers.
    Gabriela Vatu, PCMAG, 23 Oct. 2024

Podcast

Thesaurus Entries Near milieu

Cite this Entry

“Milieu.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/milieu. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on milieu

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!