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

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 mise-en-scène The mise-en-scene towards the end feels clumsy, even a bit limp, and the plotting becomes forced. Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2025 The mise-en-scene towards the end feels clumsy, even a bit limp, and the plotting becomes forced. Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2025 The back and forth feels distracting rather than revealing at times, a showy move that feels out of step with the overall mise-en-scene. Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2024 Andersson’s mise-en-scene owes some obvious debts to the likes of Tati and Fellini, but his tragicomic deadpan remains entirely his own. Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2024 The full mise-en-scene of Biles, Lee, Chiles, Carey, and Rivera wearing their final look beneath a cascade of red, white, and blue confetti communicated a distinct narrative from Minneapolis’ central arena where the games were held. Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 2 July 2024 And last night, between 50th and 49th Street, a festive spectacle took place as Saks Fifth Avenue and Dior unveiled their mesmerizing mise-en-scene window display, Dior’s Carousel of Dreams at Saks. Maia Torres, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2023 But the mise-en-scene suffers inexplicably and lacks resonance with our more recent era. Bonnie Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2023 Here, an amusing if chaotic mise-en-scene is what’s at center stage. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 20 Apr. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mise-en-scène
Noun
  • Keep scrolling to shop more home decor and patio furniture finds from Wayfair’s Closeout Sale.
    Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 22 June 2025
  • There are all kinds of ropes in the decor, boat lights, and photographs of celebrities on boats, including yachts, sailboats, and a canoe.
    Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • The Mediterranean atmosphere is ideal for a lunch pre or post-tennis matches.
    Rachel Dube, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Ahead of the event’s fifth edition, Reeve-Rabb suggests the 2026 festival line-up could be even bigger, while retaining the event’s intimate atmosphere.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Officers were called by a neighbor who saw Perez holding a knife and arrived at the scene to subdue him but used deadly force instead of non-violent means of intervention.
    Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
  • Academics and extracurriculars require a lot of planning, but the Southern college social scene inspires its own kind of coordination.
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • And although the show avoids preachy comparisons between its well-off, white climate refugees and their less privileged present-day counterparts, there’s plenty to notice about the international community’s indifference to the plight of the stateless.
    Judy Berman, Time, 27 June 2025
  • This reality has sparked legitimate concerns about AI undermining climate progress.
    Tenzin Seldon, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Berger said the six-episode series owed its Ivory Coast backdrop to relationships built during his first trip to Africa at last year’s November edition of SICA.
    Essie Assibu, Variety, 27 June 2025
  • The birds shared a common interest: small, succulent fruits whose deep red and purple hues stood out against the backdrop of green, elliptical leaves.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Half Moon Bay pairs postcard-ready scenery with quietly historic stops: wander the uncrowded redwood giants of Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Of course, nobody is having more fun than Christopher Lloyd as a conniving Klingon Commander chewing every bit of scenery.
    Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Alexander Bublik captured his first ATP Tour title of the 2025 campaign by downing Daniil Medvedev in straight sets, to claim the Halle Open for a second time in three years.
    Leon Imber, New York Times, 22 June 2025
  • Historically, most performers have developed their art by being taken under the wings of friends as part of drag families or drag houses, or by practicing at home and summoning the courage to sign up for open sets at bars.
    David Mack, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025

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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 4 Jul. 2025.

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