environ
verb
en·vi·ron in-ˈvī-rən 
-ˈvī(-ə)rn
-ˈvī(-ə)rn environed; environing; environs
transitive verb
: encircle, surround
Synonyms
- circle
- compass
- embrace
- encircle
- enclose
- inclose
- encompass
- gird
- girdle
- ring
- surround
- wreathe
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a decaying, impoverished city environed by affluent suburbs
Recent Examples on the Web Even though Hollywood makes L.A. and environs a celebrity magnet, not all the big real estate action plays out within the City of Angels. 
Neal J. Leitereg And Lauren Beale, latimes.com, 9 Sep. 2017
Neal J. Leitereg And Lauren Beale, latimes.com, 9 Sep. 2017 Word History
Etymology
Middle English envirounen, from Anglo-French enviruner, from envirun around, from en in (from Latin in) + virun circle, from virer to turn — more at veer entry 1
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
environ
verb
as in to surround
to form a circle around a decaying, impoverished city environed by affluent suburbs Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- surround
- encircle
- circle
- encompass
- enclose
- ring
- gird
- embrace
- inclose
- compass
- wreathe
- girdle
- wall
- circumscribe
- beset
- besiege
- entrench
- swarm
- close in
- intrench
- fence (in)
- cordon (off)
- invest
- hem (in)