An everyday encompass synonym is include, and when you want something shorter still, cover does the job. For range across time or space, use span; for the full list of parts, use comprise; for a warm, open tone, use embrace.
Encompass is a formal verb that means to hold many things within one idea, or less often, to surround a place. It appears in mission statements and essays so often that readers start to skim it. Below are swaps for encompass and for the third-person form, so your encompasses synonym search ends here too. For more verbs of this kind, try the academic vocabulary page.
Swatch at a glance
Best swaps
include, cover, span, comprisePart of speech
Verb (transitive)Most formal
comprise, subsume, incorporateMost casual
take in, coverAntonyms
exclude, omit, leave outWatch out
Comprise already means consist of. Write the course comprises six modules, not comprises of.Word forms covered
encompasses, encompassed, encompassing
Encompass synonym table by use
| Swap | Best when | Example |
|---|---|---|
| include | listing some parts, not all | The prize includes a trip. |
| cover | topics, ground, areas | The class covers basic statistics. |
| span | time or distance from end to end | Her career spans four decades. |
| comprise | naming every part of the whole | The board comprises nine members. |
| embrace | ideas, people, a wide welcome | The festival embraces every style of folk music. |
| involve | steps or tasks that are needed | The job involves some travel. |
| surround | physical space around something | Hills surround the village. |
How the tone shifts from take in to comprise
Tone rises as you read the five chips: relaxed at one end, stiff at the other. Take in is relaxed: the tour takes in three museums. Cover is plain and clear. Include is neutral and safe for any reader. Span adds a sense of stretch from one point to another. Comprise ranks as the stiffest choice and the strictest, since it implies the list is complete.
Encompass sits near comprise in tone but stresses breadth: a theory that encompasses many cases sounds big and generous.
Encompasses, encompassed and encompassing
Match the verb form when you swap.
- The plan encompasses three stages becomes the plan covers three stages.
- The study encompassed several countries becomes the study spanned several countries.
- An encompassing view becomes a broad view, a comprehensive view or a holistic view.
- An all-encompassing role becomes a wide-ranging role or an all-inclusive role.
Sentence makeovers
- Our services encompass design and printing becomes our services include design and printing.
- The park encompasses two lakes becomes the park takes in two lakes.
- Wellness encompasses body and mind becomes wellness embraces body and mind.
- The empire encompassed much of the coast becomes the empire extended over much of the coast.
- Fog encompassed the harbor becomes fog enveloped the harbor.
On a company About page: "Our work encompasses strategy, encompasses design and encompasses launch." A tighter version: "Our work runs from strategy through design to launch." The verb runs from... to... shows range without repeating a stiff word.
Include or comprise? A grammar note
Include suggests the list may be partial: the kit includes a map (and maybe other things). Comprise means the list is the whole: the kit comprises a map, a flashlight and a whistle. With comprise, the whole comes first and no of follows. If you want of after the verb, switch to consists of instead.
Contain is about physical holding, like a box contains tools, so it suits objects better than ideas. See contain synonyms for that sense.
Words with the opposite effect
To keep something out, use exclude, omit or leave out. Rule out fits options you drop after thinking, and except works as a formal verb in legal text.
- The price excludes delivery.
- The editor omitted the final chapter.
Also explore multifaceted synonyms for describing something with many sides.
Frequently asked questions
Is include a good swap for encompass?
Usually, yes. Include is clearer and less formal. Encompass suggests a wider sweep, so use it only when breadth is the point.
Which encompass word sounds best in a mission statement?
Embrace and span read well in that setting: our programs span early learning to adult education. They sound open and confident without jargon.
Does encompass mean surround?
It can, in a literary way: mountains encompass the valley. In plain writing, surround or ring is clearer.
Can I say comprises of?
Careful editors avoid it. Write comprises six parts, or consists of six parts, or contains six parts.
Which verb reverses encompass?
Exclude is the direct antonym. Omit and leave out are softer and often refer to something forgotten.
How do I describe a course that encompasses many topics in an essay?
Try ranges across, covers or spans. The course ranges across law, ethics and economics sounds natural and shows variety.