1
as in backdrop
the physical conditions or features that form the setting against which something is viewed they got married on a mountain top with the sunset as background

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2
as in setting
the place and time in which the action for a portion of a dramatic work (as a movie) is set the background of that movie is the World War II era

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How is the word background distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of background are environment, milieu, mise-en-scène, and setting. While all these words mean "the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs," background often refers to the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon or development.

the shocking decision was part of the background of the riots

Where would environment be a reasonable alternative to background?

While the synonyms environment and background are close in meaning, environment applies to all the external factors that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental, or moral development.

the kind of environment that produces juvenile delinquents

When is it sensible to use milieu instead of background?

The synonyms milieu and background are sometimes interchangeable, but milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons.

an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation

In what contexts can mise-en-scène take the place of background?

Although the words mise-en-scène and background have much in common, mise-en-scène strongly suggests the use of properties to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect.

a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scène

When could setting be used to replace background?

The meanings of setting and background largely overlap; however, setting suggests looking at real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms.

a militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social setting

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of background Mabruk reports that international branding and marketing agencies, as well as producers with a background in commercials, have been in touch about the show. Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025 Curdt-Christiansen’s multicultural background positions her uniquely for the endeavor. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025 The light from a background galaxy, almost perfectly aligned with the elliptical galaxy and our line of sight, is lensed into an almost complete ring around the foreground galaxy. Keith Cooper, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2025 Quantum computing background concept. Jaures Yip, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for background
Recent Examples of Synonyms for background
Noun
  • And a wide range of brands including fast-casual restaurant Sweetgreen and luxury outerwear brand Canada Goose have embraced cowboy hats and rusted-red canyon backdrops in ad campaigns.
    Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Bearing in mind an uncertain macroeconomic backdrop and potential rate cuts, investors can consider adding some dividend stocks to their portfolios to ensure stable income.
    , CNBC, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • On land, louder environments like running alongside traffic might compete a little too much with talking audio – noise-canceling earbuds or over-ear headphones are better in this setting.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2025
  • In the forest and other natural settings, termites are beneficial insects that recycle woody debris, such as dead trees, and return nutrients to the soil.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The third victim was treated on scene by members of the Torrance Fire Department, according to Ahmad.
    Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Ed has covered pop music for The Republic since 2007, reviewing festivals and concerts, interviewing legends, covering the local scene and more.
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Background.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/background. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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