Synonyms of background

background

noun

ˈbak-ˌ(g)rau̇nd 

1

as in backdrop

the physical conditions or features that form the setting against which something is viewed

they got married on a mountain top with the sunset as background

Synonyms & Similar Words

• backdrop
• scene
• scenery
• ground
• stage
• environment
• setting
• set
• surroundings
• milieu
• mise-en-scène
• entourage

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• center
• foreground
• heart
• focus
• focal point

2

as in setting

the place and time in which the action for a portion of a dramatic work (as a movie) is set

the background of that movie is the World War II era

Synonyms & Similar Words

• setting
• scene
• backdrop
• set
• locale
• scenery
• tableau
• mise-en-scène

Synonym Chooser

How is the word background distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of background are environment, milieu, mise-en-scène, and setting. While all these words mean "the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs," 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

Where would environment be a reasonable alternative to background?

While the synonyms environment and background are close in meaning, 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

When is it sensible to use milieu instead of background?

The synonyms milieu and background are sometimes interchangeable, but milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons.

an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation

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

Although the words mise-en-scène and background have much in common, 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 setting be used to replace background?

The meanings of setting and background largely overlap; however, 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 background

During tech, background artists would join the run-throughs, and Barantini would fine-tune the kind of detail work that might only get picked up on a second watch. —Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 Mar. 2025

The show has included several scenes featuring animals before, such as a season 2 moment in which Baby Billy (Walton Goggins) takes his son Harmon (Jeremy T. Thomas) to a pet store to adopt a dog, and a gruesome season 3 background scene in which a CGI cow is run over by a monster truck. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2025

Try to sleep in a quiet environment, eliminating noise from outside sources by using earplugs or white noise or brown noise (a variety of calming background sounds based on frequency). —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 21 Mar. 2025

Across the country, people from all political backgrounds are being targeted by U.S. immigration authorities simply because of their opinions or beliefs. —Laura Romero, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2025