Another Word for World: 13 Synonyms with Examples
The world means the earth and everyone on it, or a particular area of activity or group of people. Swap it to make your meaning more specific.
As a noun: the earth and its people
- earth
- globe
- planet
- humanity
- humankind
- society
As a noun: an area of activity
- field
- sphere
- realm
- domain
- scene
- circle
- industry
Need a different word?Look up any word in the synonym finder →
How they differ
Synonyms share a meaning, not always a tone. Here is when to pick each of the main options.
- earth
- The planet itself, especially as a physical place.
- globe
- Stresses the whole world, often in travel or trade.
- planet
- Common in environmental writing: "save the planet".
- humanity
- All people, often in a moral sense.
- sphere
- An area of activity or influence; formal.
- scene
- Informal; a particular area of activity: "the music scene".
Example sentences
- earth: It is the hottest place on earth.
- globe: The company sells its products across the globe.
- planet: We all have a part to play in protecting the planet.
- humanity: The war was a crime against humanity.
- sphere: She is respected in the academic sphere.
- scene: Manchester has a lively music scene.
More from WordNet
Less common or more specialised words WordNet lists for other senses of “world”. Check the meaning before you use one.
adjective: global, planetary, worldwide
noun: universe, existence, creation, cosmos, macrocosm, reality
WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Used under the WordNet licence.
Frequently asked questions
What is another word for “world”?
The most useful alternatives are “earth”, “globe”, “planet”, “humanity”, “humankind”. For the main sense (the earth and its people), “earth” is usually the closest swap.
What is the difference between “earth” and “globe”?
earth: The planet itself, especially as a physical place. globe: Stresses the whole world, often in travel or trade.