amid
5 synonyms and 1 antonym for amid, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Prep — In the middle of; surrounded by.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
in the midst of
surrounded by
Antonyms
How to use amid
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
amid the chaos
amid growing concerns
amid criticism
More common in news writing and formal prose than in everyday speech, where "among" or "in the middle of" is more natural.
Etymology
From Old English on middan, "in the middle" — related to "mid" and "middle."
Full origin of amid →Frequently asked questions
What does “amid” mean?
The word “amid” means in the middle of; surrounded by. In plain terms, a more formal way of saying "in the middle of" or "surrounded by.".
How do you pronounce “amid”?
“Amid” is pronounced uh-MIHD (/əˈmɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “amid” in a sentence?
Here is “amid” used in a sentence: “The old cottage stood amid a field of wildflowers.”
What part of speech is “amid”?
“Amid” is a preposition.
Where does the word “amid” come from?
The word “amid” comes from Old English. From Old English on middan, "in the middle" — related to "mid" and "middle.".
Is “amid” a common word?
“Amid” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between amid and amidst?
"Amid" and "amidst" mean the same thing, "in the middle of" or "surrounded by," and are interchangeable. "Amid" is slightly more common in modern English, while "amidst" can sound a touch more literary or formal.
What is the difference between amid and among?
"Among" is used with countable, separate things, as in "among the trees," while "amid" is used for a mass, abstract situation, or something not counted individually, as in "amid the chaos." Choose "amid" when surrounded by an uncountable whole and "among" for distinct items.
Is amid formal or informal?
"Amid" is somewhat formal and appears most often in writing, especially journalism, as in "amid growing concern." In everyday speech, phrases like "in the middle of" or "surrounded by" are more common.
Does amid take a singular or plural noun?
"Amid" is typically followed by a singular mass noun or an abstract situation, as in "amid the confusion" or "amid uncertainty." When the surrounding things are countable and plural, "among" is usually the better choice.
