as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others
an influential Washington lobbyist who has been involved in a number of backstairs deals to limit regulation of financial institutions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 backstairs
And in North Carolina, a boyish trial lawyer with jury-pleasing charm (John Edwards) knocked off Lauch Faircloth, a GOP senator who played a backstairs role in getting Kenneth Starr appointed as independent counsel.
—
Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 6 June 2019
Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 6 June 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backstairs
Adjective
-
The Pozo de Vargas is considered the largest clandestine mass grave of Argentina’s last dictatorship with the remains of 149 people recovered from the site.—
Débora Rey,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The Pozo de Vargas is considered the largest clandestine mass grave of Argentina’s last dictatorship with the remains of 149 people recovered from the site.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Law enforcement officials said the officer was ambushed by two gunmen and shot while driving an unmarked white Tesla while working on an undercover investigation.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Owners cited undercover consumers known to visit establishments in search of those airing content without licenses.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Get Ready: Katy Perry Has Released a Sneak Peek of Her New Song And the internet has receipts.—
Mehera Bonner,
Marie Claire,
15 Mar. 2017
Adjective
-
Among the programs is one to remove underground storage tanks so soil underneath them can be evaluated for contamination.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The site is now a health resort more than 400 feet underground people can visit to get treatments.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
These shows join the likes of Conspiracies and Coverups, hosted by former CIA covert agent Andrew Bustamante, which launches on April 1, and Jeff Dunham’s The Cars That Drove Us, which premieres on March 31.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The Department of the Treasury last Thursday designated Hayat Yolu as a key player in a covert global network that uses the guise of humanitarian aid to raise money overseas.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Mecklenburg County commissioners voted just last week to officially remove the county’s previous rules on private pool rentals to reflect the change in state law.—
Mary Ramsey
March 25,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The diplomats spoke on the condition of anonymity to disclose private negotiations.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backstairs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backstairs. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
