as in background
the physical conditions or features that form the setting against which something is viewed
visitors dine at the restaurant with a dramatic stretch of the Pacific Ocean as a jaw-dropping backdrop
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Recent Examples of backdrop
Some of the most famous include an Andy Warhol screenprint of Marilyn Monroe, depicting her as both icon and commodity, and Ansel Adams’ timeless image of Wyoming’s shimmering Snake River against the mountainous backdrop of the Tetons, commissioned by the US Department of the Interior in the 1940s.
—
Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
Amid the backdrop of the war in Iran, Leo has repeatedly warned in recent days that violence is becoming normalized and that religious language is at risk of being misused to justify it.
—Chris Livesay, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
With Iceland’s titular black sands serving as the backdrop, the first season of the show followed Anita, a troubled police officer played by Aldis Amah Hamilton (The Valhalla Murders) who also co-writes the series.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
Against that backdrop, the credit card points strategy is equal parts clever and cautionary.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backdrop
Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
Amid the backdrop of the war in Iran, Leo has repeatedly warned in recent days that violence is becoming normalized and that religious language is at risk of being misused to justify it.
—Chris Livesay, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
With Iceland’s titular black sands serving as the backdrop, the first season of the show followed Anita, a troubled police officer played by Aldis Amah Hamilton (The Valhalla Murders) who also co-writes the series.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
Against that backdrop, the credit card points strategy is equal parts clever and cautionary.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backdrop
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backdrop
background
Noun
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Hengemuhle said that, as human beings, there is a responsibility to do everything possible to combat hate, which requires understanding and educating one another, as well as drawing on different policing and professional backgrounds.—
Amelie Botbol,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
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How does your background in theater, touring with Earth, Wind & Fire and doing background vocals for Erykah Badu help shape you as a live performer?—
Kailyn Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backdrop.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backdrop. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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