Synonyms of backstage

backstage 1 of 2

adverb

ˈbak-ˈstāj 

as in privately

in a manner intended to prevent knowledge or awareness by others

some of the most important decisions were made backstage, and only presented to the full committee afterward

Synonyms & Similar Words

• privately
• confidentially
• in private
• secretly
• intimately
• in camera
• tête-à-tête
• à deux
• offstage
• inwardly
• offscreen
• sotto voce
• underground
• clandestinely
• undercover
• covertly
• furtively
• surreptitiously
• stealthily
• conspiratorially
• secretively
• collusively
• sneakily
• underhanded
• underhandedly
• underhand

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• publicly
• openly

backstage

2 of 2

adjective

as in offstage

Related Words

• offstage
• offscreen
• personal
• hidden
• repressed
• suppressed
• closeted
• stifled
• silenced
• underground
• concealed
• surreptitious
• undercover
• sneak
• clandestine
• closet
• furtive
• conspiratorial
• collusive
• sneaky
• underhand
• covert
• underhanded
• unsaid
• behind-the-scenes
• untold
• stealthy
• top secret
• undisclosed
• unmentioned
• unadvertised
• unannounced
• sneaking
• restricted
• intimate
• inside
• occult
• silent
• classified
• nonpublic
• confidential
• hugger-mugger
• private
• esoteric
• privy
• secret
• hush-hush
• hushed

Dissimilar Words

• public
• open
• common
• broadcast
• general
• aired
• popular
• current
• publicized
• vulgar
• advertised
• reported
• proclaimed
• prevailing
• announced
• blazed
• heralded
• prevalent
• widespread
• disclosed
• published
• professed
• rife
• well-known
• declared
• communal
• spotlighted
• shared
• divulged
• promulgated
• enunciated

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of backstage

Adverb

To close out the show, McCartney and Colbert then went backstage and flipped a giant switch, effectively turning the lights off on the 30-year late night program. — Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

Because of his show’s cancellation, a wormhole opened up backstage at the Ed Sullivan Theater, collapsing the space between his Strike Force Five co-hosts. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 May 2026

Adjective

The film encapsulates the tour’s phenomenon — counting down the final months before the last show and capturing all the backstage drama and fan community that rallied around it. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 18 Dec. 2025

PWInsider reports that former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Drew McIntyre is backstage for the show. — Fernando Quiles Jr, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025