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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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 Seven strangers from different countries and backgrounds are forced to compete in a deadly game, each facing a different mission to rescue a loved one. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 Today, the customer base reflects the diversity of the surrounding neighborhood, with shoppers of all backgrounds stopping in for specialty products, custom cuts and prepared foods. — Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026 The campaign's organizational structure brings together prominent political figures with longstanding backgrounds in international politics and anti-Israel activism in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. — Asra Q. Nomani, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026 The result is, literally, a mash-up of everything about the couple’s style, taste, backgrounds, and influences. — Plum Sykes, Architectural Digest, 9 Oct. 2026 Exposure to professors with different backgrounds and perspectives can broaden students’ educational experiences. — Rodney Coates, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026 This is despite the City of London’s socio-economic diversity taskforce setting a target for half of senior leaders to come from working-class or non-professional backgrounds by 2030. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026 The genetic risk score calculation was based primarily on people of European ancestry, which could limit the study's relevance for people from other backgrounds. — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 8 Oct. 2026 Trump sought to rally Republicans by attacking Democrats over inflation and immigration, repeating claims about the number and backgrounds of migrants who entered the country during the Biden administration. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backgrounds
Noun
  • The experience opened up Rhimes’ vision for storylines and backdrops for Shondaland’s creations.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Set against the backdrops of New York and Los Angeles from the late 2000s through the 2020s, the novel navigates the uncertain metamorphosis of contemporary adulthood.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The TomTom app’s mobile interface is clean and basic, with no ads and few extra features or settings.
    — Kelvin Chan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Whitney had prerecorded the song—a necessity in such settings, Rickey says, due to the overwhelming din of the crowd.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Below, Netflix‘s new six-episode thriller, begins with one of my favorite TV scenes of the year.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
  • While refuting any suggestion of police repression, Lecornu condemned violence on the margins of protests, which were mostly peaceful Tuesday, despite the dramatic scenes that dominated coverage.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Backgrounds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backgrounds. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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