as in scenes
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 backdrops
Even as new contenders emerge, the buildings on this list remain defining landmarks of their cities, instantly recognisable on postcards, film backdrops, and flight approaches.
—
Karina Acharya, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
Surviving relatives—more than 20 people in all—lived together in what remained of the home, a shed that had once stored backdrops for productions of Romeo and Juliet and Carmen.
—Margaret Heidenry, Vanity Fair, 24 Feb. 2026
Rather than treating the rubber plantations and forests as mere backdrops, Shen Zhongmin positions the natural environment as an active narrative force.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
The homes themselves have often doubled as social and political backdrops.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2026
In many instances, the properties where authors picked up their ballpoints became backdrops for adventure or even characters themselves.
—Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2026
Sketches are a bit punchier and backdrops more elaborate, though not in a way that undermines the Muppets’ scrappy, analog aesthetic.
—Judy Berman, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
Miami Beach, Key Biscayne and Fort Lauderdale offer ceremony locations with natural drama built in—sunset skies, ocean backdrops and open horizons.
—Anton Lucanus, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Forgotten animal pens, decaying cages and stony backdrops now sit in various states of abandonment.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Karina Acharya, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
Surviving relatives—more than 20 people in all—lived together in what remained of the home, a shed that had once stored backdrops for productions of Romeo and Juliet and Carmen.
—Margaret Heidenry, Vanity Fair, 24 Feb. 2026
Rather than treating the rubber plantations and forests as mere backdrops, Shen Zhongmin positions the natural environment as an active narrative force.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
The homes themselves have often doubled as social and political backdrops.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2026
In many instances, the properties where authors picked up their ballpoints became backdrops for adventure or even characters themselves.
—Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2026
Sketches are a bit punchier and backdrops more elaborate, though not in a way that undermines the Muppets’ scrappy, analog aesthetic.
—Judy Berman, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
Miami Beach, Key Biscayne and Fort Lauderdale offer ceremony locations with natural drama built in—sunset skies, ocean backdrops and open horizons.
—Anton Lucanus, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Forgotten animal pens, decaying cages and stony backdrops now sit in various states of abandonment.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backdrops
Noun
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The secret cake even opens to reveal charming scenes of Winnie the Pooh’s house and the Hundred Acre Wood.—
Brittany Anas,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Who is working behind the scenes?—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
On Wednesday the association, which has been supporting talents of different backgrounds, with an original focus on the African continent, is gathering industry figures at hip member’s club The Wilde to spotlight five creatives.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Enrollment of students from underserved backgrounds grew this year, and the university has invested in more ways to support students at-risk of dropping out.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
McCarty acknowledged the limitations of the safe camping grounds.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Bonta and other state attorneys general are expected to file a legal challenge to the mega-merger on antitrust grounds.—
Samantha Masunaga,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Two of those were in 2001-02 and 1999-2000, when there were two group stages, which made repeats more likely.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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Then came Thursday night’s loss in Philadelphia, when the 76ers took the Heat’s zone to task during the decisive stages.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backdrops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backdrops. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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