encompass

/ɪnˈkʌmpəs/ formal

Say it: en-KUM-pus

1. verb To include a large number or wide range of things comprehensively.
The new job description encompasses a variety of responsibilities, from marketing to data analysis.
2. verb To surround or cover something completely.
The dense fog began to encompass the entire harbor, obscuring the ships from view.
3. verb To achieve or bring about something.
Their strategy was designed to encompass a total victory in the market.

📖 Seen in the wild

The new curriculum will encompass a wide range of subjects.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ encompass in a sentence

The final exam will encompass all the topics we've studied this semester.
Her artistic work encompasses painting, sculpture, and digital media.
The national park is vast, encompassing mountains, forests, and lakes.
A good leader must encompass a range of qualities, including empathy and decisiveness.
The new security system encompasses the entire campus with a network of cameras.
This report does not encompass the latest quarterly data, which will be released next week.
His philosophy attempts to encompass the totality of human experience.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

include contain cover comprise embrace incorporate involve subsume

include · suggests being one part of a larger whole, while encompass implies covering the full, comprehensive extent.

contain · focuses on what is held within fixed boundaries, whereas encompass suggests a broader, more active inclusion.

cover · often means to deal with or address a subject, while encompass means to count it as a fundamental part of a whole.

comprise · means 'to be made up of', a more direct statement of composition than the sweeping inclusion implied by encompass.

Opposites: exclude, omit, leave out, disregard, release

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'encompass' traveled from Latin through French to find its way into English. It comes from the Old French 'en-' meaning 'in' and 'compas' meaning 'a circle' or 'compass'. This origin beautifully captures the word's dual meaning: to draw a circle around something, either literally to surround it or figuratively to include it within a scope.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

encompass a wide rangeencompass all aspectsfully encompassbroadly encompassencompass the globe

Encompass is a strong, formal word that implies a comprehensive, all-embracing scope. It is more powerful than 'include' and is best used when you want to emphasize the breadth of what's being discussed. Be careful not to confuse it with 'comprise'. A whole encompasses its parts (the curriculum encompasses many subjects), whereas a whole is comprised of its parts (the curriculum is comprised of many subjects).

Word family: encompassment

💬 Quick answers

What does encompass mean?

Encompass means to include a wide variety of things as part of a whole, or to surround something completely. It implies a comprehensive or all-embracing scope.

What is the difference between encompass and include?

"Include" means to have something as one part of a larger group. "Encompass" is stronger and more thorough, suggesting that something contains or covers all, or a very wide range of, parts.

Is encompass a formal word?

Yes, encompass is generally considered a formal word. In everyday conversation, simpler words like 'include', 'cover', or 'contain' are more common.

How do you use encompass in a sentence?

Use it to describe a broad scope, for example: "The investigation will encompass all aspects of the company's finances." You can also use it for physical surrounding: "The medieval wall still encompasses the old city."

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