scene

noun

ˈsēn How to pronounce scene (audio)
Definition of scenenext
1
as in setting
the place and time in which the action for a portion of a dramatic work (as a movie) is set the first scene was the kitchen of a fancy restaurant during dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in explosion
an outburst or display of excited anger please don't make a scene while we're at the restaurant

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in situation
position with regard to conditions and circumstances one of the leading figures in the current political scene

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in scenery
the array of painted backgrounds and furnishings used to establish the setting in a stage production helped build and paint scenes for the school play

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 scene Two people were pronounced dead at the scene, and two, in stable condition, were brought to hospitals on the mainland, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 The incident is strikingly similar to a May Times report that detailed how information from the scene failed to result in timely evacuations. — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026 The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit took over the search after Sacramento firefighters and police officers cleared the scene, police said. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Witnesses described a harrowing scene as Pike continued to talk, breathe and snore after being given the doses. — Victoria Craw, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scene
  1. setting
  2. explosion
  3. situation
  4. scenery
  5. background
  6. huff
  7. story
  8. decor
Noun
  • The Los Huemules Conservation Reserve is not only the setting of its latest hotel, but also one of the many conservation projects in South America for which Explora is a stakeholder.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Developing mechanized hands capable of such dexterity could be a key driver in the adoption of humanoids in domestic settings, though likely won't be needed for most factory jobs.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of setting
Noun
  • Hastert’s tenure was marked by a shift of power from committee chairmen to GOP leaders, fealty to the Bush administration and an explosion of congressional pet projects known as earmarks.
    — Michael Tarm, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The explosion caused an artificial radiation belt that destroyed several satellites and partially knocked out street lights and phone lines in Hawaii.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • The creditors’ lawsuit claims that Kenny engineered a situation in which Thai Union could control Red Lobster’s seafood purchasing—cutting out competitors and charging higher prices for shrimp.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • This idea of art as an impermanent intervention in the situation of things seems to be the essence of Mono-ha in Japan.
    — Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of situation
Noun
  • Everyone from the guides to the dining staff have come to know the area well over the years of preparation to open—and deeply love the animals and scenery that lodges like this one aim to protect.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Experts back then warned that as trains got faster, passengers would suffocate, or that looking at unnaturally fast-moving scenery could permanently compromise visual processing.
    — Mark P. Mills, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of scenery
Noun
  • Verma-Lallian, whose background is in real estate investing, said Hollywood has proven to be a largely attractive market for herself and other nontypical private investors looking to diversify their portfolios.
    — Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Little else was immediately known about the co-pilot’s background.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of background
Noun
  • Devers walked back to the dugout in a huff.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026
  • Not everyone feels the same way, however, and some progressive parents and staff are in a huff.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2026
Definition of huff
Noun
  • There was a period where airspace was closed in the Gulf after the Iran conflict began, and then questions about whether the region’s growth story would be interrupted.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • In the end, creation stories feels a bit like an internal pep talk for which an audience didn’t necessarily need to be present.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of story
Noun
  • Having undergone a $100 million renovation a few years ago, this property now showcases modern furniture, beautiful artwork, and Hawaiian decor.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Mocktoberfest will feature German-style festival seating and decor throughout the venue, in both indoor and outdoor spaces, as well inside as a photo booth to capture funny poses.
    — Marie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of decor

Phrases Containing scene

Browse Nearby Words

scenarists
scene
sceneries
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scene. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on scene

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scene

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of discreet

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name tags
Words Named After People Quiz Find out who’s behind "leotard," "morphine," an...
See All