Surrounded By Crossword Clue

By: Five Letter Words | Last edited: May 01, 2025

Searching for the solution to the "Surrounded by" crossword clue from the May 01, 2025 New York Times Mini puzzle? We've identified the precise 5-letter answer for you. To make your puzzle-solving more engaging, we've created interactive options to help you progress. You can discover the answer gradually with our letter-by-letter reveal tool, or explore our helpful resources—including similar word patterns, alternative clues with the same answer, or detailed explanations to guide your thinking. We've also streamlined navigation between related clues from the same puzzle, so you can solve multiple clues efficiently. Ready to discover what word means "surrounded by"? Let's explore this positional relationship together!

Crossword Answer:

You can click on the ? tiles to reveal letter by letter before uncovering the full solution.

About This Clue

The May 1, 2025 New York Times Mini Crossword featured the clue "Surrounded by" with the answer AMONG. This clue is seeking a preposition that indicates something or someone is encircled by or positioned within a group of others. AMONG fits perfectly as it describes being in the middle of or surrounded by other people or things. The clue relies on a straightforward definition, asking for a synonym of the phrase "surrounded by."

Context for "Among"

The word "among" is a preposition that indicates a position or state where someone or something is surrounded by, in the midst of, or included in a group. It comes from Old English "ongemang," meaning "in a crowd" or "in a mixture." "Among" is typically used when referring to three or more items or people, while "between" is more commonly used when referring to only two. For example, you might say "She stood among the crowd of spectators" (many people) but "She stood between her two friends" (just two people). The word has several closely related meanings: 1. In the midst of or surrounded by multiple people or things: "The small cottage was hidden among the trees." 2. In the company of or together with others: "He felt comfortable among friends." 3. Indicating a shared action, feeling, or status within a group: "They divided the money among themselves." 4. Indicating inclusion within a group: "Among the attendees were several celebrities." 5. In comparison with others of a specified kind: "She was the smartest among her classmates." "Among" can sometimes be used interchangeably with "amongst," though "amongst" is more common in British English and can sound more formal or literary. In the context of the crossword clue "Surrounded by," AMONG is the perfect answer because it directly conveys the idea of being encircled by or positioned within a group of other things or people.

NYT Mini Crossword Tips

When solving clues like "Surrounded by" in the NYT Mini Crossword, look for prepositions or phrases that indicate position or location. Clues that ask for words meaning "encircled by," "in the middle of," or "amidst" are often looking for prepositions such as AMONG, AMID, or BETWEEN. Short, definitional clues like this one typically have straightforward answers that are synonyms or closely related terms. The five-letter constraint in this case helps narrow down the possibilities. AMONG fits perfectly with both the meaning and the letter count. Remember that the NYT Mini Crossword often uses common vocabulary and frequently relies on direct definitions rather than complex wordplay. When you see a clue that looks like a simple definition, your first instinct should be to think of synonyms or closely related terms that match the required letter count. For prepositions in particular, it can be helpful to mentally substitute the clue into a sentence to see if the potential answer makes sense. For example, if you replace "surrounded by" with "among" in a sentence like "She was surrounded by friends," resulting in "She was among friends," you can confirm that the meaning is preserved and the answer is likely correct.

Related Crossword Answers

More Clues & Answers For The New York Times Mini (May 1, 2025)

ACROSS

• 1. Question that looks like today's date
• 5. Marvel's "The Avengers," e.g.
• 6. Bring to mind
• 7. Like notebook paper
• 8. An Australian millipede holds the record for the most in the animal kingdom, at 1,306

DOWN

• 1. Marvel's "The Avengers," e.g.
• 2. Surrounded by
• 3. "That is not good!"
• 4. Like some coffee orders
• 5. Where to find ribosomes and mitochondria