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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 But despite its namesake, pumpkins aren’t center stage during opening weekend — watermelons are. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Grammy winner Belafonte was about to perform, standing at center stage. — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 The next complete lunar blackout won't be until New Year's Eve 2028, with Asia and Australia at center stage. — CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 The next complete lunar blackout won’t be until New Year’s Eve 2028, with Asia and Australia at center stage. — Marcia Dunn, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 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
  • 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
  • The final installment under the name Creativity spotlights 19 runway looks from current chief creative officer Daniel Lee and his predecessor Christopher Bailey.
    — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • That remote displays a live feed from the drone's 1080p/30fps camera, which is assisted in dim conditions by three 300-lumen spotlights.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of spotlight
Noun
  • The Moon enters Capricorn and your community zone, drawing your attention toward friends, groups, and people who share your interests.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • As consumers use emerging tools like AI to explore different looks and try on silhouettes, this data is an early indication of the looks capturing consumers’ attention throughout the year.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of attention
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
  • 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 24 Sep. 2026.

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