backgrounds

Definition of backgroundsnext
plural of background
1
as in backdrops
the physical conditions or features that form the setting against which something is viewed they got married on a mountain top with the sunset as background

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in settings
the place and time in which the action for a portion of a dramatic work (as a movie) is set the background of that movie is the World War II era

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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 backgrounds Furniture, pets, and the residents themselves infuse the images with both ambiguity and meaning, creating a rich mosaic of city life across ages, backgrounds, and boroughs. The New Yorker, New Yorker, 20 May 2026 Nothing else matters, such as efforts to measure applicants’ cultural backgrounds, empathy, compassion and interpersonal skills — to list non-academic factors the DOJ suggests should be out-of-bounds for admissions committees. Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026 Do something to broaden your horizons through study, exploring new and unfamiliar experiences or meeting people from different backgrounds. Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 20 May 2026 Join us for our third CNBC Pro LIVE, where investors of all backgrounds — from financial professionals to everyday individuals — come together to cut through the noise and gain actionable strategies for smarter, more disciplined investing. Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 20 May 2026 Woodard learned about Goodwill's eight-week program, where people with criminal backgrounds take classes, learn a trade, and earn their certification. Leondra Head, CBS News, 20 May 2026 As Palestinian Americans, the brothers grew up seeing people of similar backgrounds depicted by Hollywood in the most negative terms. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 May 2026 That shift favors founders such as Jakobsson with backgrounds far removed from blockchain’s original anti-establishment culture. Amy Guttman, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026 While the finalists represent unique backgrounds, each one is driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference in the future. News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backgrounds
Noun
  • Ludlam uses natural light, pristine white backdrops and medium-format film in his work, and his shots take on the personality of commercial product photography, showing off the details, utility and design of the objects themselves.
    Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 18 May 2026
  • An hour north of New York City, the Hudson Valley has turned into one of the country’s most compelling beer regions with farms, river towns, mountain backdrops, and a concentration of serious breweries that keeps growing.
    Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • Its 29 grind settings offered enough range to produce both a decent espresso shot and pot of French press.
    Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 May 2026
  • Brands commonly partner with influencers to promote new products or initiatives, and Meta says the sponsorships are intended to get more teens using safer settings.
    CNN.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 20 May 2026
Noun
  • In the final scenes of the episode, the Silver and Reagan families (including Blue Bloods favorite Joe Hill) rejoice over a meal, while Brian is on the way over.
    Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
  • Although previous reports suggested Scooter Braun was comfortable with his girlfriend Sydney Sweeney’s nude scenes on Euphoria and fully supported her career, that may not be entirely true.
    Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 22 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Backgrounds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backgrounds. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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