behind the scenes

1 of 2

phrase

1
: out of public view
also : in secret
2
: in a position to see the hidden workings
… taken behind the scenes and told just how in fact the actual government … has operated …William Clark

behind-the-scenes

2 of 2

adjective

be·​hind-the-scenes bi-ˈhīnd-ṯẖə-ˈsēnz How to pronounce behind-the-scenes (audio)
bē-
1
: being or working out of public view or in secret
behind-the-scenes lobbying for more money
a behind-the-scenes player
2
: revealing or reporting the hidden workings
a behind-the-scenes account
a behind-the-scenes glimpse

Synonyms of behind the scenes

Examples of behind the scenes in a Sentence

Adjective a tell-all book about the behind-the-scenes negotiations that got him the vice presidential nomination behind-the-scenes negotiations that resulted in the hostages being released unharmed
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
The film captures the historic name succession ceremony for the actor and records the behind-the-scenes preparations for his name-inheritance debut performance. Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 17 May 2026 Some, but not all, of those tropes are present in Spanish filmmaker Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s behind-the-scenes drama The Beloved (El Ser Querido), which manages to add a few welcome twists to the formula. Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026 In a sweet behind-the-scenes moment, the show’s official Instagram posted a clip of Cipriano personally breaking the news to Fowler. Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026 Related Stories Neon has given Variety an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Esiri brothers on the set of the film. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for behind the scenes

Word History

First Known Use

Phrase

1685, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of behind the scenes was in 1685

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Behind the scenes.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behind%20the%20scenes. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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