backstory
noun
back·story
ˈbak-ˌstȯr-ē 
: a story that tells what led up to the main story or plot (as of a film)
Examples of backstory in a Sentence
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Every character is fully developed and has a why, and every backstory is so rich.
—
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
Advertisement As many of the best villains do, Ok-seon has a sympathetic backstory.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
Vandran is a key part of Willingham’s character, Fjord’s, backstory — and his unique persona demands a very specific kind of voice actor.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
With Halloween just a month away, NPR's Word of the Week series delves into the curious, magical backstory of hoax.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
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Keith Phipps, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
Advertisement As many of the best villains do, Ok-seon has a sympathetic backstory.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
Vandran is a key part of Willingham’s character, Fjord’s, backstory — and his unique persona demands a very specific kind of voice actor.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
With Halloween just a month away, NPR's Word of the Week series delves into the curious, magical backstory of hoax.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backstory
Cite this Entry
“Backstory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backstory. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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