CENTER STAGE Synonyms: 11 Similar and Opposite Words

center stage

noun

Definition of center stage

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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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 Right away, the engineering takes center stage, underscoring both form and function. — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2026 This guest lets her track pants take center stage, styling the soft hue with a pale blue button-down, oversized clutch, baseball cap, and heeled sandals. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 26 June 2026 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 Brazil, Haiti and Scotland all took center stage. — John Devine, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for center stage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for center stage

Noun

Spencer and Waddingham, both executive producers on the series, never sought top billing over the other.

— Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
Does James really want to share top billing on his farewell tour with the likes of Steph Curry, Jaylen Brown or James Harden?

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Definition of top billing

Noun

After spending most of his career working hard in a sport that barely registers any level of attention in the wider world, Ainslie welcomes the brighter — but also harsher — spotlight that this seven-year-old league is shining on sailboat racing.

— Andrew Rice, New York Times, 24 July 2026
The room, finished in Domingue lime paint, is illuminated by a 1950s Isamu Noguchi Akari floor lamp and surface-mount spotlights by Lucifer Lighting.

— Punch Hutton, Architectural Digest, 24 July 2026

Definition of spotlight

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

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centers (on)

center stage

center stages

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“Center stage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/center%20stage. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of center stage

noun

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