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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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 backgrounds One recent Sunday evening, about 200 filled a Cincinnati church where preachers from several faith backgrounds urged them to demand his freedom. Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025 The bill mandates the FAA enact 24 recommendations from an aviation rule-making committee within two years, forcing the agency to address a backlog of pilot medical certifications with special exceptions as well as hire FAA physicians with mental health backgrounds. Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025 The push for inclusivity in climbing extends beyond racial diversity to encompass climbers with disabilities, varying economic backgrounds, and different gender expressions. Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 9 Sep. 2025 The researchers conducted in-depth Zoom interviews with 40 women from diverse backgrounds. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 As in past years, our entries spanned the incredible range of backgrounds and experiences of young people in the United States. Steve Drummond, NPR, 9 Sep. 2025 One of the things that's stuck with Master P most about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was that people from all backgrounds and all means stepped in to help survivors. Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 2 Sep. 2025 But really, guests note that this Austin staple is the place to meet locals from all different backgrounds. Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2025 Vance was selected for vice president in large part because of his ability to speak to Americans from different economic backgrounds, namely blue-collar workers in manufacturing-heavy states. Francesca Chambers, The Enquirer, 30 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backgrounds
Noun
  • Outdoor activities are plentiful and include hiking trails with idyllic backdrops, parks, the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, and family-friendly farms and farmers markets.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2025
  • At the competition, attendees could walk inside the three-sided green screen booth and explore different photo backdrops.
    Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Toward commercial use Kepler positions the latest gait upgrade as expanding K2’s applicability in commercial and industrial settings.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2025
  • As a result, the onstage settings consist of a few physical set pieces backed up by vivid and realistic-looking images on the screens.
    David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Similar scenes play out countless times a day on transit systems in cities across the country – where riders go about their routines even as problems like homelessness, untreated mental illness and unpredictable assaults chip away at an already fragile sense of security in public transportation.
    Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
  • He’s known as a Yoda-like figure behind the scenes of Michigan football, advising both Moore and Jim Harbaugh.
    Austin Meek, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Backgrounds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backgrounds. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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