The term 'in the area of' is used to describe a location that is close to or NEAR something else. The crossword solutions for this term are AROUND (6 letters), NEAR (4 letters), and ABOUT (5 letters). AROUND implies that the location is in the vicinity of something, while NEAR implies that it is close by. ABOUT suggests that the location is in the general vicinity of something. All three words can be used to describe a location that is close to or NEAR something else.