Encompass — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /in-ˈkəm-pəs/ en·com·pass

Meaning & Definition of Encompass

Encompass (verb)

  1. to include as a part of a whole or group
  2. envelop
  3. to form a circle about, enclose

Encompass (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to form a circle around

    "a necklace of sapphire-blue lakes encompasses the town"

    similar: circle, compass, embrace, encircle, enclose, environ, gird, girdle, ring, surround, wreathe
    related: circumscribe, close in, cordon (off), fence (in), hem (in), wall, beset, besiege, entrench, invest, swarm

  2. 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"

    similar: carry, comprehend, contain, embrace, entail, include, involve, number, subsume, take in
    related: comprise, consist (of), bracket, have, hold, own, possess, admit, receive, compose, constitute, form, make, assimilate, embody, incorporate, integrate
    opposite: exclude, leave (out), miss out (British), omit
    near: ban, bar, debar, preclude, prevent, prohibit, deny, refuse, reject, eliminate, except, rule out, lose, mislay, misplace

  3. to surround or cover closely

    "a fog of mystery has long encompassed this fraternal organization, which is known for its secret rituals"

    similar: bosom, bower, circumfuse, cocoon, embosom, embower, embrace, enclose, enfold, enshroud, enswathe, envelop, enwrap, invest, involve, lap, mantle, muffle, shroud, swathe, veil, wrap
    related: curtain, drape, embed, encase, swaddle, blanket, overlay, overspread, camouflage, cloak, disguise, mask, circle, encircle, enlace, enwind
    near: bare, denude, expose, strip

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Encompass

The most common words with a similar meaning to Encompass:

circle, compass, embrace, encircle, enclose, environ, gird, girdle, ring, surround, wreathe, carry, comprehend, contain, entail, include, involve, number, subsume, take in, bosom, bower, circumfuse, cocoon, embosom, embower, enfold, enshroud, enswathe, envelop, enwrap, invest, lap, mantle, muffle, shroud, swathe, veil, wrap

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Encompass

Words with the opposite meaning of Encompass:

exclude, leave (out), miss out, omit

Related Words for Encompass

circumscribe, close in, cordon (off), fence (in), hem (in), wall, beset, besiege, entrench, swarm, comprise, consist (of), bracket, have, hold, own, possess, admit, receive, compose, constitute, form, make, assimilate, embody, incorporate, integrate, curtain, drape, embed

Near Antonyms of Encompass

ban, bar, debar, preclude, prevent, prohibit, deny, refuse, reject, eliminate, except, rule out, lose, mislay, misplace, bare, denude, expose, strip

Word Forms of Encompass

Inflections: encompassed, encompassing, encompasses

Derived words: encompassment (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Encompass

Middle English

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Encompass

Frequently Asked Questions about Encompass

What does "Encompass" mean?

"Encompass" means to include as a part of a whole or group. As a verb, it is defined as: to include as a part of a whole or group. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Encompass"?

Other words for "Encompass" include circle, compass, embrace, encircle, enclose, environ, gird and girdle. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Encompass" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Encompass"?

There are 80 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Encompass". Common alternatives include circle, compass, embrace, encircle, enclose, environ, gird, girdle, ring and surround.

What is the opposite of "Encompass"?

Antonyms of "Encompass" include exclude, leave (out), miss out and omit. Near antonyms include ban, bar, debar and preclude.

How do you use "Encompass" in a sentence?

Examples of "Encompass" in a sentence: "a necklace of sapphire-blue lakes encompasses the town"; "textbooks on American history are now likely to encompass its social history as well as its political and military history"; "a fog of mystery has long encompassed this fraternal organization, which is known for its secret rituals".

Is "Encompass" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Encompass" is a verb.

Is "Encompass" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Encompass" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Encompass"?

"Encompass" is pronounced /in-ˈkəm-pəs/ and divided into syllables as en·com·pass.