1
as in to surround
to form a circle around
a necklace of sapphire-blue lakes encompasses the town
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to include
to have as part of a whole
textbooks on American history are now likely to encompass its social history as well as its political and military history
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to wrap
to surround or cover closely
a fog of mystery has long encompassed this fraternal organization, which is known for its secret rituals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encompass
Those are four of Little Rock's seven wards, roughly encompassing the southern half of the city as well as its eastern section along the Arkansas River.
—
Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 23 Apr. 2026
This top totally encompasses spring vibes.
—Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Arts journalism encompasses unbiased reporting of arts news and events but also can include arts criticism, which claims a history reaching back to the writings of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026
Those three options will include a Day 1 pick, which encompasses the first round; a Day 2 pick, which encompasses the second and third rounds; and a Day 3 pick, which encompasses the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.
—Alex Zietlow
april 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encompass
Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 23 Apr. 2026
This top totally encompasses spring vibes.
—Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Arts journalism encompasses unbiased reporting of arts news and events but also can include arts criticism, which claims a history reaching back to the writings of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026
Those three options will include a Day 1 pick, which encompasses the first round; a Day 2 pick, which encompasses the second and third rounds; and a Day 3 pick, which encompasses the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.
—Alex Zietlow
april 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encompass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encompass
Verb
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Roads in the surrounding area were temporarily closed as crews worked to douse the flames.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
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The new proposal would require them only if there were a request for one from the surrounding neighbors.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Five of the Cowboys’ seven picks in this year’s draft, including all three made on the first two days, were spent on defensive players.—
Jon Machota,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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That includes what triggered the suspect, what brought him to Washington, and whether there might be any potential copycats who might want to do follow-on attacks, as is often the case after a presidential assassination attempt, the official said.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Kay wraps her voice around propulsive rock arrangements on one, while another leans into flamenco pop.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Kristen Wile of Unpretentious Palate kindly offered me a bite of her toothsome barbacoa entree, wrapped in a collard leaf and served with mayocoba (a creamy, yellow-green canary bean) and a red and green salsa duo.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The country's National News Agency reported airstrikes and artillery shelling throughout southern Lebanon on Wednesday, including near Bint Jbeil, where Israeli forces have encircled Hezbollah fighters.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
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The country’s National News Agency reported airstrikes and artillery shelling throughout southern Lebanon on Wednesday, include near Bint Jbeil, where Israeli forces have encircled fighters with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.—
Samy Magdy,
Fortune,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But because the racing league is involved, AMC needs to step cautiously.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
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His incredulity about their increasingly risky adventures—this is the one that involves a Pontiac Fiero in outer space—becomes one of the film’s running gags.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But there’s also the pan brioche (Italian brioche bread) with anchovies and butter and puntarelle enveloped in a savory anchovy hug; the agnolotti del plin, dumplings shining in a glossy butter and sage sauce, are not to be missed either.—
CNT Editors,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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Elkins stretched his hands behind them, enveloping his kids like a big hug.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Still, even as the memes become borderline unintelligible, Kirkslop contains an air of transgression that imbues the otherwise inane edits and images with perverse political undercurrents.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
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The group contains multiple doctors and lawyers.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Washington Post,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The plan would require enclosing an irrigation canal.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
24 Apr. 2026
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To the left is a relaxed deck for post-dip chilling; to the right is the beautifully restrained restaurant, partly enclosed in a glasshouse with an undulating canopy roof.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encompass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encompass. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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