backgrounds

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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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 This performance decline was much steeper among students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Supreet Kaur, Scientific American, 10 June 2026 And the restaurant itself is plenty Instagram-friendly, with neon signs, fun backgrounds and an all-around good vibe. Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026 That said, Hines also noted the Artemis 3 crew includes a variety of backgrounds, other than gender. Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 10 June 2026 The two have vastly different backgrounds and would likely take the panel in different directions politically. David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 10 June 2026 The four men who make up the Artemis III crew have a range of backgrounds, with a heavy emphasis on engineering and test pilot experience. Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 9 June 2026 Their connection – and shared mysterious backgrounds – is divulged over the course of the movie, and Daniel and Margaret meet up and work together as complementary components for a common goal. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 June 2026 For this spaceflight into low-Earth orbit, which will see the Orion spacecraft rendezvous and dock with lunar lander prototypes, NASA chose an experienced, all-male crew with military backgrounds. Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026 However, communicating those decisions with players from different linguistic backgrounds often proved challenging. Andrew Pereira, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backgrounds
Noun
  • Tonight, Venus, Jupiter and Mercury will gather low in the western sky after sunset, creating one of June’s most charming sky backdrops.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026
  • Paris dazzled audiences in 2024 with iconic backdrops and historic landmarks.
    Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Noun
  • He’s known for using these surreal settings and absurdist ideas to make genuine commentary.
    Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2026
  • In many cases, people can receive the same high-quality care in lower-cost settings, without sacrificing outcomes or convenience.
    Anthem Blue Cross California, Daily News, 10 June 2026
Noun
  • Then came party number two on Sunday, when Arsenal’s players finally got their hands on the trophy and lifted it above their heads in the last game of the league season – cue more scenes of celebration across the English capital and beyond.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
  • Mordecai often goes to scenes where people think immigration enforcement activities are happening in the area with the goal of making sure everyone’s safe and is aware of their constitutional rights.
    Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Backgrounds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backgrounds. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.

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