What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
encircled
Example
The castle was encircled by a moat. [encircled: past tense]
Example
The group of dancers encircled the bonfire. [encircled: verb]
surrounded
Example
The city is surrounded by mountains. [surrounded: past participle]
Example
She felt surrounded by love and support from her family. [surrounded: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Surrounded is more commonly used than encircled in everyday language. Surrounded is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while encircled is less common and refers to a more specific type of enclosure.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between encircled and surrounded?
Both encircled and surrounded are formal words that can be used in academic or professional writing. However, surrounded may be more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
