as in top billing
the center of public attention
a public health problem that has moved to center stage in recent years
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Recent Examples of center stage
But far from the U.S. having a monopoly on production, now some 96% of rare earth minerals are sourced from China, propelling these arcane materials into center stage in the escalating trade war between the world’s top two economies.
—
Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 June 2025
During a week of protest, Los Angeles is the center stage of the national immigration debate, with pundits on both sides characterizing the fight through the lens of their respective viewpoints.
—Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
That’s how one expert told CNN the auto industry is describing a possible shortage of rare-earth elements — minerals that are now center stage in the global trade war.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 10 June 2025
The backstage bit that took Erivo from dressing room to center stage paid homage to a number of this season’s shows and highlights.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for center stage
Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 June 2025
During a week of protest, Los Angeles is the center stage of the national immigration debate, with pundits on both sides characterizing the fight through the lens of their respective viewpoints.
—Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
That’s how one expert told CNN the auto industry is describing a possible shortage of rare-earth elements — minerals that are now center stage in the global trade war.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 10 June 2025
The backstage bit that took Erivo from dressing room to center stage paid homage to a number of this season’s shows and highlights.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for center stage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for center stage
Noun
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Smith was ranked No. 1 in the U.S. at the time, two spots ahead of his pal, yet the wildly popular Ashe always got top billing.—
Sam Farmer,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2025
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New England folk-pop singer-songwriter Noah Kahan gets top billing on Sunday, and the docket also includes sets from Goose, Carin Leon, Flo Rida, Khruangbin and — best of all — legendary rock guitarist Robby Krieger from The Doors, among many others.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
24 May 2025
Noun
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Gutierrez, 42, said the platform means more than transforming into a Hollywood bombshell for a day – her goal is to shine a spotlight on the importance of organ donation.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2025
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With this over-the-top family drama, Perry delivers his signature mixture of slapstick comedy and warm sentiment, shining a spotlight on a frighteningly familiar brand of chaos that somehow always seems to bring families closer.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
Noun
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Other issues such as the Iran strike commanded far more attention.—
Karlyn Bowman,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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Oftentimes, third parties have acted as vote siphons that threaten either Republican or Democratic candidates' ability to reach a majority, or have mobilized attention over voter issues.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
8 July 2025
Noun
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Turtles are once again in Mexico’s limelight, after authorities announced the rescue of 3,427 freshwater turtle hatchlings at a checkpoint along the San Cristóbal-Chiapa de Corzo highway.—
Margherita Bassi,
Popular Science,
26 June 2025
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So that spotlight's going on Indiana, the same spotlight on Oklahoma, two states that are not in the national limelight.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2025
Noun
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The upstart state assemblymember is at the forefront of a coalition of progressives seeking to block former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo from taking the proverbial catbird seat in Gracie Mansion.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Center stage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/center%20stage. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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