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
Across film, television and audio, crime storytelling continues to captivate audiences and reshape the entertainment landscape, and Variety’s SXSW gathering will put the creators, executives and experts driving that momentum center stage.
—
William Earl, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026
That calm confidence shines through in every performance too, where Siddiq is center stage, standing and/or possibly sitting, relying on lived experience rather than quick punch lines.
—Ali Lerman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
That debate moves to center stage Monday, when the City Council’s Finance Committee questions consultants about the new repair estimates and weighs alternatives, such as leasing space or building a new facility.
—Dallas Morning News, 20 Feb. 2026
Ultimately unsuccessful in his second White House bid, Jackson nonetheless characteristically held center stage at the Democrats’ 1988 convention in Atlanta, where questions swirled about the strength of his support for the Democratic ticket.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for center stage
William Earl, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026
That calm confidence shines through in every performance too, where Siddiq is center stage, standing and/or possibly sitting, relying on lived experience rather than quick punch lines.
—Ali Lerman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
That debate moves to center stage Monday, when the City Council’s Finance Committee questions consultants about the new repair estimates and weighs alternatives, such as leasing space or building a new facility.
—Dallas Morning News, 20 Feb. 2026
Ultimately unsuccessful in his second White House bid, Jackson nonetheless characteristically held center stage at the Democrats’ 1988 convention in Atlanta, where questions swirled about the strength of his support for the Democratic ticket.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for center stage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for center stage
Noun
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The group has top billing at Barcelona’s Primavera Sound festival in June and Atlanta’s Shaky Knees festival in September.—
William Vaillancourt,
Rolling Stone,
8 Mar. 2026
-
There’s a top billing of Saint Louis and VCU.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The district, a mostly blue-collar corridor from Atlanta's suburbs north to the Tennessee border, vaulted into the national spotlight after Greene swept to victory in 2020.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The extreme violence, apparently inspired by jihadi propaganda online, thrust the city of San Bernardino into the global spotlight.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In Massachusetts, advocates are turning attention to an existing office in the state’s education department.—
Collin Binkley,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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Besides Heldens and Carpenter, also attached is former Disney Channels Worldwide president/Disney Branded Television president and chief creative officer Gary Marsh, who departed that post in 2021 and turned his attention to producing.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The series turned Van Der Beek into a youth heartthrob and catapulted him into the national limelight.—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
11 Feb. 2026
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While much of the debate (and excitement) centers on the selection of Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny as the headliner, punk rock fans are eager to see how and what opening band Green Day will do with its moment in the national limelight.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Toronto was in the catbird seat, just six outs away from the Fall Classic.—
Joe Kozlowski,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
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Carter Jensen always dreamed of sitting in the catbird seat at Kauffman Stadium.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Center stage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/center%20stage. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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