in the background

Part of Speech:

All (4) Adjective (3) Adverb (1)

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behind-the-scenes adj.
distant adj.
secretive adj.
behind adv.

ADJECTIVE

behind-the-scenes

Synonyms

WEAK

backstage behind the curtain in a corner in the dark sub-rosa under-the-table

ADJECTIVE

distant

Synonyms

STRONGEST

far far-flung far-off inaccessible isolated obscure remote removed secluded

WEAK

a piece abroad abstracted apart arm's length asunder away backwoods beyond range far back farther further in the boonies in the distance in the sticks indirect middle of nowhere not home out of earshot out of range out of reach out-of-the-way outlying retired secret separate sequestered telescopic unapproachable ways wide of yonder

Antonyms

STRONGEST

approachable mingling public

WEAK

adjacent close friendly kind near nearby neighboring sympathetic warm

ADJECTIVE

secretive

Synonyms

STRONGEST

covert enigmatic reticent taciturn

WEAK

backstairs buttoned-up cagey clammed up close close-mouthed cryptic feline furtive hushed in chambers in privacy in private in the dark on the Q.T. reserved silent tight-lipped undercover unforthcoming withdrawn zipped

Antonyms

STRONGEST

communicative

WEAK

forthright honest open

ADVERB

behind

Synonyms

STRONG

trailing

WEAK

abaft after afterwards at the heels of at the rear of back of bringing up the rear eating the dust in the wake later than next off the pace subsequently

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ahead before in front

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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in the background

"I can't think of a cooler setting when you're looking at the Capitol in the background," said Zak Brown, chief executive officer of McLaren Racing.

From Barron's ● Aug. 22, 2026

Marine Band could offer its kin moral support by playing in the background Ives’ mysteriously transcendental “Unanswered Question.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

The result is an environment where consumption is highly visible while production and financing remain in the background.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

Concerns about Federal Reserve independence and the likely return on massive artificial-intelligence investments are lingering in the background.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026

For a moment, she imagined she was home in her own bed, the hum of her mom talking on the phone in the background.

From "Breadcrumbs" by Anne Ursu

in the background

Example Sentences

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