behind-the-scenes

adjective

bi-ˈhīnd-ṯẖə-ˈsēnz How to pronounce behind-the-scenes (audio)
Definition of behind-the-scenesnext
1
as in confidential
not known or meant to be known by the general populace a tell-all book about the behind-the-scenes negotiations that got him the vice presidential nomination

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others behind-the-scenes negotiations that resulted in the hostages being released unharmed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 behind-the-scenes The rewatch has taken listeners back to West Beverly High, the Peach Pit and other memorable moments from the series while offering behind-the-scenes stories from the cast. — Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026 My firm’s leadership team reviews our growth objectives alongside the behind-the-scenes projects designed to improve the business. — John Abusaid, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Viewers will get a behind-the-scenes look at the early days of the 47th presidential administration. — Blanche Marcel, Vanity Fair, 6 Aug. 2026 It will soon be released on Blu-ray, with special behind-the-scenes commentary from Funk and Vaught. — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for behind-the-scenes
Recent Examples of Synonyms for behind-the-scenes
  1. confidential
  2. clandestine
  3. secret
  4. undercover
  5. private
  6. covert
  7. underground
Adjective
  • People who hold more senior positions in the system, or who have access to confidential information, generally have tighter restrictions placed upon them, according to several sources familiar with the matter and open government announcements.
    — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • SpaceX has requested to keep the photos of the device, along with the user manual, confidential over the next 180 days.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of confidential
Adjective
  • In reality, the clandestine operation meant that, for a portion of time, the President’s real whereabouts were seemingly unknown to—and concealed from—the White House press pool.
    — Tiago Ventura, Time, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Mexican authorities have dismantled well over a thousand clandestine drug laboratories, seized enormous quantities of narcotics and fentanyl pills, arrested thousands of cartel operatives, and extradited major criminal figures to the United States.
    — Chris Shays, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of clandestine
Adjective
  • Terry drives him home on an exclusive secret road between Beverly Hills and the Valley (the only other people who Terry knows have the gate code are Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty) but pulls over to a scenic viewpoint on the way.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The secret mission was carried out without the knowledge of members of the press traveling with the president and even some White House officials who were still aboard the old traditional Air Force One.
    — Isabella Murray, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of secret
Adjective
  • The victim eventually agreed to pay the $22,450 to an unkown man posing as an undercover law enforcement officer In the parking lot of a Marathon grocery store, according to the sheriff's office.
    — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Barnes did not disclose the online platforms used for the operation, saying that withholding the information is necessary to protect undercover operations like Operation Cyber Shield in other jurisdictions.
    — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of undercover
Adjective
  • Lenti Ponsetto, after 18 years leading DePaul athletics—and 42 years overall at the private Big East school—announced her retirement in June 2020, just six weeks after Conviser filed her initial suit in Cook County court.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The movie, which premieres this weekend on YouTube, is a DIY schlock- umentary that’s also a real documentary, one that captures how Six’s life became his own private horror film, after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of private
Adjective
  • Officials have gone to great lengths to keep presidents safe on covert trips before.
    — Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Here's a timeline of events that led to the president's covert departure.
    — Isabella Murray, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of covert
Adjective
  • These events occur when extremely hot underground water suddenly turns into steam, expands, and blasts apart the surrounding rock.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
  • By the time Irv and Kath met, the Oberbach Corporation was ankle-deep in concrete, middle-manning the cheap Chinese labor the city needed to build its demonic underground highway along the river.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of underground

Browse Nearby Words

behinds
behind-the-scenes
behold
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Cite this Entry

“Behind-the-scenes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behind-the-scenes. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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