center stage

noun

Definition of center stagenext
as in top billing
the center of public attention a public health problem that has moved to center stage in recent years

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 center stage Maybe the score is meant to be inconspicuous so that the tension of the final service takes center stage. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 June 2026 America Healthy Again puts healthy food, strong bodies, and clear minds center stage. — Mike Stunson, USA Today, 25 June 2026 Brazil, Haiti and Scotland all took center stage. — John Devine, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026 Even though there are other siblings in the Fak family that make an appearance on The Bear, these brothers take center stage for their occasional quarreling and their benevolent behavior toward each other. — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for center stage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for center stage
  1. top billing
  2. spotlight
  3. attention
  4. limelight
  5. catbird seat
Noun
  • In Washington's Walla Walla Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon often gets top billing.
    — Emily Price, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • And, more broadly, country-level plans that lay out investable climate projects across different countries received top billing at different forums.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 26 June 2026
Definition of top billing
Noun
  • This upcoming bloom spotlights a plant nicknamed Odora, who last opened in 2024, and Odorysseus, a rookie public bloomer.
    — Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Millions pre-ordered without seeing a second of raw mechanics, and if Rockstar runs the RDR2 script, a dedicated gameplay trailer arrives after the cinematic one rather than sharing its spotlight.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of spotlight
Noun
  • So how much attention do the two broadcasters really pay to one another?
    — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • Flair then turned her attention to Cargill and hit a big boot, forcing the disqualification.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of attention
Noun
  • Kristen’s husband’s life was full of glamour and limelight, whereas her life was all behind the scenes.
    — Melanie Thernstrom, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
  • Clearly, Samsung is prioritising keeping its flagship as competitively priced as possible (and perhaps trying to steal a bit of the WWDC limelight this week) despite battling rising manufacturing costs.
    — Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Definition of limelight
Noun
  • Toronto was in the catbird seat, just six outs away from the Fall Classic.
    — Joe Kozlowski, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Carter Jensen always dreamed of sitting in the catbird seat at Kauffman Stadium.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of catbird seat

Browse Nearby Words

centers (on)
center stage
center stages
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Center stage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/center%20stage. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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