backstage 1 of 2

adverb

ˈbak-ˈstāj How to pronounce backstage (audio)
Definition of backstagenext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

backstage

2 of 2

adjective

as in offstage

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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 backstage
Adverb
Backstage Bro Tommy Brennan is all smiles backstage before his appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in New York City on June 9. — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026 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
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 See All Example Sentences for backstage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstage
  1. privately
  2. offscreen
  3. confidentially
  4. secretly
Adverb
  • Trump has privately discussed arranging an in-person meeting with Kim during his next trip to Asia, likely in November, the Journal said, when he is expected to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China.
    — Anniek Bao,Lisa Kim, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Dadiba Pundole, whose Mumbai gallery represented several leading Indian modernists during their lifetimes, estimates that as many as one in 10 modern artworks sold privately in India could be fake.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of privately
Adjective
  • The emotions were also hard to process given how tight-knit the cast has become offscreen after seven years together.
    — Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026
  • One stronghold after another has fallen to the ruthless conqueror Nobunaga Oda—often celebrated as the first great unifier of Japan but here cast as a largely offscreen mega-villain.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 July 2026
Definition of offscreen
Adverb
  • Both companies have filed confidentially to go public and are heading toward a listing later this year.
    — Nilesh Christopher, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In June, Anthropic confidentially filed to go public in what will be among the biggest IPOs on record.
    — Kate Rooney, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of confidentially
Adverb
  • As millions of people buy into the smart glasses fad each year, the odds are increasing that you could be secretly recorded while simply going about your day.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Too bad then that Sophie is such a softie, secretly inviting the whirling dervish to their two days of rest and relaxation.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of secretly

Browse Nearby Words

backstabs
backstage
backstairs
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Cite this Entry

“Backstage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstage. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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