scene

noun

ˈsēn How to pronounce scene (audio)
Definition of scenenext
1
as in setting
the place and time in which the action for a portion of a dramatic work (as a movie) is set the first scene was the kitchen of a fancy restaurant during dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in explosion
an outburst or display of excited anger please don't make a scene while we're at the restaurant

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in situation
position with regard to conditions and circumstances one of the leading figures in the current political scene

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in scenery
the array of painted backgrounds and furnishings used to establish the setting in a stage production helped build and paint scenes for the school play

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 scene Valerie Vargas founded the pioneering group in 2002, back when San Antonio’s all-female mariachi scene was still small. — Zoey Goto, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026 The driver fled, and the man was struck a second time by another vehicle whose driver also left the scene, Harper said. — Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026 Marion is not in any imminent danger—not yet—but her paranoia and the claustrophobic camerawork imbue these driving scenes with an anticipatory terror. — Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026 This scene raises questions about violence, punishment, and provocation as means to uphold dharma. — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scene
  1. setting
  2. explosion
  3. situation
  4. scenery
  5. background
  6. huff
  7. story
  8. decor
Noun
  • These attributes will be increasingly important when robots are deployed to rescue sites and even used in less dangerous settings like hospitality and in multilevel offices, factories and houses.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2026
  • All four configurations use Bofors 3P programmable ammunition, which lets crews select the projectile’s fuze settings immediately before firing.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of setting
Noun
  • Iranian state media reported explosions being heard on the islands of Qeshm and Hengam in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, and in the nearby mainland area of Bandar Abbas.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
  • In August, 38 people were killed when a Russian drone strike on an ammunition depot near the capital triggered a large fire and multiple explosions that lasted hours in a residential area near Kyiv.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • If the Sens’ backup goaltending situation solves itself, then Staios’ shopping list could be fairly simple between now and the deadline, with landing a goal-scoring forward.
    — Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Instead of depending on separate ammunition types for different targets, crews can configure the projectile to suit the situation.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of situation
Noun
  • The journey, which will become a regular addition to the train's annual schedule, will take passengers through some of the most spectacular scenery along the French Riviera before arriving in the glamorous principality.
    — Alessia Armenise, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Abstract electronic tones in the score create further dissonance in this surrealist fever dream of a picture as the scenery and style change to meet the needs of the moment.
    — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of scenery
Noun
  • Critics say the revisions discriminate against people based on their family background or gender and put pressure on younger members of the royal family to produce male offspring.
    — Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Milan’s welfare councilor, Lamberto Bertolé, told the AP that more investigation is needed to understand the backgrounds and motives of the young people who joined the looting.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of background
Noun
  • Devers walked back to the dugout in a huff.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026
  • Not everyone feels the same way, however, and some progressive parents and staff are in a huff.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2026
Definition of huff
Noun
  • Long story short, campers stay warmer on cold nights and cooler on hot nights without a loud, emissions-spewing engine or generator running in the background.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
  • While two of the three semifinalists had a base camp here, and international stars like Harry Kane, Lionel Messi and Jude Bellingham lived in Kansas City, the biggest story arguably was what happened west of town.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of story
Noun
  • On shelves at the beloved bargain grocery store this November come all kinds of festive desserts, gift ideas, party appetizer shortcuts, cheery tableware, advent calendars (including the coveted cheese version), and decor galore.
    — Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Over the years, the White House has had its share of renovations, major and minor, as well as regular efforts to update its decor.
    — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of decor

Phrases Containing scene

Browse Nearby Words

scenarists
scene
sceneries
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scene. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on scene

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scene

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of abandon

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All