Synonyms for

Surrounded

Verb / sɜ:ˈaʊndɪd / Another word for surrounded — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

to be all around someone or something

Synonyms & similar words

ring hemin smother circumvent wall skirt beleaguer palisade surround border environ encircled fencein fence besiege encircled encompassed engulfed enveloped besieged blockaded circled girdled ringed walled bordered bounded contained encased framed limited enclosed trapped

Synonyms by register

Formal

encircled enveloped encompassed hemmed in

Informal

boxed in closed in up against it up against the wall

Literary

beset beleaguered girded

Antonyms

free unhindered unobstructed unrestricted liberated independent unchained

Common collocations

  • surrounded by enemies
  • surrounded by nature
  • surrounded by people
  • surrounded by darkness
  • surrounded by beauty
  • surrounded by a fence
  • surrounded by controversy

Word family

noun surrounding
verb surround
adjective surrounding

Usage note

Often used to describe being enclosed by something, whether physically or metaphorically. Be mindful of the context, as 'surrounded' can imply being trapped or protected.

Example sentences

  1. The cat surrounded the mouse.
  2. The fence surrounded the garden.
  3. The police surrounded the house.
  4. The mountains surrounded the valley.
  5. The knight was surrounded by enemies.

Quotes

  • I am surrounded by priests who repeat incessantly that their kingdom is not of this world, and yet they lay their hands on everything they can get.
  • We are surrounded by story.
  • I am surrounded by people who talk too much.

Try these popular words

the and that for you with was this are have not from

Practice

Play the Word Synonyms game · Choose level (start near 1)

Worksheets

Grade 4 · Grade 5 · Grade 6

Topics

Guides

Explore more words