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 Narrated by Hugh Bonneville, this one-hour documentary special goes behind-the-scenes of the Bergenbanen, one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world. — Rachel Labonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026 OutKick OutDoors is on the ground at Old Hickory Lake for The Champions, bringing readers exclusive interviews, tournament updates and behind-the-scenes coverage as the world's top anglers compete for bass fishing's biggest payday. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026 McMillen shared some behind-the-scenes images on Instagram of their getting-ready process, and showed an array of shoe options for both of Fanning’s looks from Wednesday. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026 In August, the actress gave fans a behind-the-scenes look at her go-to routine as a busy mom of four. — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 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
  • In April, a US Army soldier was arrested and charged with using confidential information to make $410,000 in Polymarket bets on the timing of the military’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
    — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Keeping the information confidential was consistent with state protocol, a spokesperson in his department said, adding that it was still shared with local health officials.
    — Nat Lash, ProPublica, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of confidential
Adjective
  • There was something sad in our meetups always having to be clandestine.
    — Erica Garza, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The arrest, the official explained, came after the Attorney General’s Office concluded that there had been misconduct in an April operation in which state officials dismantled a clandestine drug-manufacturing laboratory.
    — Mauricio Torres, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of clandestine
Adjective
  • Arthur is dying for the family to find out about Reggie’s son Carmelo (Jalyn Hall) and his secret relationship with Delilah Basmati (Arica Himmel), daughter of Reggie’s nemesis, Jerry Basmati (Craig Robinson).
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Any information shared with prosecutors will be kept secret, the Dutch authorities said in a statement.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of secret
Adjective
  • He is helped by his god-daughter Saga (Zazie Beetz), who is a top FBI agent willing to go undercover in a psychiatric hospital to get close to Walter.
    — Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 4 Nov. 2026
  • With additional use of FLOCK cameras, the suspect vehicle was located by undercover officers traveling south on Missouri 291 in Liberty.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of undercover
Adjective
  • The Daily Express, which first reported the investigation, said the inquiries related to claims that women were trafficked to the king’s private estate in the Scottish Highlands.
    — Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2026
  • When the heavy hand of government borrowing reduces private investment, jobs are at stake.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of private
Adjective
  • Anthropic also wants to investigate covert misalignment, where models conceal their intentions instead of openly displaying concerning behavior.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Tehran denies involvement, but the incident raises the prospect of covert operations against American military assets beyond the Middle East.
    — Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of covert
Adjective
  • The Finnish Government has granted Posiva Oy an operating license for the world’s first permanent underground repository for spent nuclear fuel.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Part of what a racist superstructure creates is the need for some kind of underground economy.
    — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 23 Oct. 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 5 Nov. 2026.

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