mise-en-scène

1
as in decor
the array of painted backgrounds and furnishings used to establish the setting in a stage production an era in which the mise-en-scène of Broadway musicals became ever more spectacular

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in atmosphere
the circumstances, conditions, or objects by which one is surrounded the movie captures the mise-en-scène of strife and desperation in a country torn apart by civil war

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word mise-en-scène distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of mise-en-scène are background, environment, milieu, and setting. While all these words mean "the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs," mise-en-scène strongly suggests the use of properties to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect.

a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scène

When could background be used to replace mise-en-scène?

The synonyms background and mise-en-scène are sometimes interchangeable, but background often refers to the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon or development.

the shocking decision was part of the background of the riots

When can environment be used instead of mise-en-scène?

The words environment and mise-en-scène are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, environment applies to all the external factors that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental, or moral development.

the kind of environment that produces juvenile delinquents

In what contexts can milieu take the place of mise-en-scène?

While in some cases nearly identical to mise-en-scène, milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons.

an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation

When might setting be a better fit than mise-en-scène?

Although the words setting and mise-en-scène have much in common, setting suggests looking at real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms.

a militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social setting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mise-en-scène
Noun
  • Her site, which grew out of a blog about motherhood and home décor, had become perhaps the most popular chronicler of Kennedy’s rise, offering half a million Substack followers an inside look at the Secretary’s new life in the upper echelons of the American right.
    Clare Malone, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
  • In addition to keeping you warm and cozy through the fall and winter, the blanket can also double as decor when draped across the end of a bed or a sectional.
    Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The atmosphere was celebratory, with Kirk tossing hats into the crowd before diving into questions.
    Amanda Castro Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • This breathtaking image from James Sinclair gives us a detailed view of a section of the sun's atmosphere known as the chromosphere — a chaotic region where hydrogen and helium plasma is molded and reshaped by our star's ever-shifting magnetic field.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Robinson also explained the obscure engravings found on bullet casings that were left behind at the scene.
    Connor Greene, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office What To Know Videos posted on social media after the shooting showed officers carrying Zinn from the scene as students can be heard screaming.
    Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The protests, called Make Billionaires Pay, have been planned to coincide with world leaders coming to New York for the UN General Assembly and Climate Week and seek to make billionaires pay higher tax, support the climate and protect migrants.
    Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The mountainous Crimea used to be a popular holiday destination in the former USSR, known for its sunny climate and sandy beaches.
    Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Against that backdrop, codifying English may feel less like a practical tool and more like a cultural reassurance to those uneasy with change.
    Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • Inland, the scenery changes to salt ponds and woodlands.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The first season’s mix of Southern charm, scandal and murder mystery kept viewers hooked — and showcased plenty of local scenery.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The set features traditional imagery, including fruit and evergreens, a holly wreath, two cardinals perched on mistletoe and a scarlet amaryllis bouquet—all designed using a collage method.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • According to the statement, radiation and microgravity were likely the chief stressors on the HSPCs, which were made up of four sets sent on SpaceX commercial resupply missions to the orbiting complex aboard the company's Dragon spacecraft.
    Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Mise-en-scène.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mise-en-sc%C3%A8ne. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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