Also, avoid backgrounds in which individual voices can be clearly heard; aim instead for a general babble.

Another sound broke through the general babble; the sound of a serious fight.

The cries of the street traders rose above the general babble like birds marking their territory, determined to be noticed by those who passed.

The voice cut through the general babble of voices at the table.

I waited, biding my time until one of those lulls in the general babble hushed the room.

Now, above the general babble and noise, he caught a snatch of conversation between two grown boys across the aisle.

In the general babble and shuffle of forms I pulled against restraining hands but their grips remained firm.

There was a general babble of assenting voices.

A man's voice emerged from the general babble.

His voice rolled over the general babble, which died away.