catbird seat

noun

Definition of catbird seatnext
1
as in advantage
the more favorable condition or position in a competition your fluency in French should put you in the catbird seat for getting the Paris posting

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in center stage
the center of public attention in the wake of the natural disaster, this obscure bureaucrat was suddenly and unexpectedly thrust into the catbird seat

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 catbird seat Carter Jensen always dreamed of sitting in the catbird seat at Kauffman Stadium. — Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025 Mom, who’d just flown from Washington state to the Big Apple, fist-pumped her way to a catbird seat on Cloud 9. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2025 With memory giants like Samsung and SK Hynix cranking up production to keep pace with Nvidia’s Blackwell ramp, Lam is sitting in the catbird seat. — John Buckingham, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025 The catbird seats were occupied instead by the titans of attention. — Ezra Klein, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for catbird seat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catbird seat
  1. advantage
  2. center stage
  3. edge
  4. spotlight
  5. upper hand
  6. top billing
  7. limelight
  8. attention
Noun
  • Koerte says this is where the longevity of Europe’s leading manufacturers could be an advantage.
    — Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The Hawkeyes were held to just 238 yards as Ohio State, which had 484 yards, had almost a 17-minute advantage in time of possession.
    — John Bohnenkamp, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of advantage
Noun
  • Olivia moved to a center stage to deliver her vulnerable confessions of insecurity and self-doubt.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2026
  • At a time when the race to build the best frontier models is center stage, the competition to establish the next hardware platform is shaping up to be just as important.
    — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of center stage
Noun
  • To continue to compete at the cutting edge, OpenAI needs to keep raising cash.
    — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The quick short corner surprised Greenville (6-16-5), and Barea hit the edge of the 18-yard box before lifting a cross to the far post.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of edge
Noun
  • First, the sequence pays homage to the nightclub scene in Gilda (1946), in which Rita Hayworth dances in a long shot amid ogling male patrons, tracked by a concentrated spotlight.
    — Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Now in its fifth year, the Albies is the Clooney Foundation’s annual ceremony, which shines an international spotlight on courageous individuals who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of justice, often at great personal risk.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of spotlight
Noun
  • With the Broncos holding a 2-1 record and the Chargers sitting at 0-3, the winner of this weekend’s game in Las Vegas will gain an upper hand in the AFC West.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Their time together at JMU could offer Sweazie an upper hand.
    — Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of upper hand
Noun
  • Dry complexions may get top billing here, but this lightweight overachiever plays just as nicely with combination, oily, acne-prone, and everything-in-between skin.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Summer may get top billing for vacations, but budget-conscious travelers may want to hold off until fall.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of top billing
Noun
  • Chris Evans and his wife Alba Baptista, 29, can count themselves among Hollywood’s most limelight-shy couples.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Yet somehow, the 469 square miles of New York City tend to hog all the limelight.
    — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of limelight
Noun
  • While the Blue Demon induces perceptual disorientation, the Rooster privileges visual attention and the architectural discipline of gaze.
    — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
  • But while Antetokounmpo gets most of the attention as the Heat’s new star, Adebayo will again be relied on to be the team’s leader.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of attention

Browse Nearby Words

catatonic
catbird seat
catbird seats
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Cite this Entry

“Catbird seat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catbird%20seat. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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