upstage
2 synonyms and 1 antonym for upstage, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To draw attention away from someone else, often deliberately.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
downstage
How to use upstage
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
upstage someone
move upstage
Etymology
From up- + stage. The figurative meaning "to draw attention away" comes from actors moving to a higher, more visible spot on a sloped stage.
Full origin of upstage →Frequently asked questions
What does “upstage” mean?
The word “upstage” means to draw attention away from someone else, often deliberately. In plain terms, to steal the spotlight from someone, literally or figuratively.
How do you pronounce “upstage”?
“Upstage” is pronounced uhp-STAYJ (/ʌpˈsteɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “upstage” in a sentence?
Here is “upstage” used in a sentence: “The flower girl upstaged the bride at the wedding.”
What part of speech is “upstage”?
Depending on how it is used, “upstage” can be a verb, a noun and an adjective.
How many meanings does “upstage” have?
“Upstage” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to draw attention away from someone else, often deliberately.
