1
as in advantage
the more favorable condition or position in a competition
your fluency in French should put you in the catbird seat for getting the Paris posting
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in center stage
the center of public attention
in the wake of the natural disaster, this obscure bureaucrat was suddenly and unexpectedly thrust into the catbird seat
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of catbird seat
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
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
With memory giants like Samsung and SK Hynix cranking up production to keep pace with Nvidia’s Blackwell ramp, Lam is sitting in the catbird seat.
—John Buckingham, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
The catbird seats were occupied instead by the titans of attention.
—Ezra Klein, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catbird seat
James Powel, USA Today, 24 June 2025
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
With memory giants like Samsung and SK Hynix cranking up production to keep pace with Nvidia’s Blackwell ramp, Lam is sitting in the catbird seat.
—John Buckingham, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
The catbird seats were occupied instead by the titans of attention.
—Ezra Klein, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catbird seat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catbird seat
Noun
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Economic analysis in the January 2026 White House Council of Economic Advisors report reinforces the advantages of this approach.—
Nicole Huyer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
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The outfielder used his blazing speed and smart baserunning to his advantage to manufacture both of Miami’s runs in its series opener against the Mets.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
23 May 2026
Noun
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While Malek takes center stage, Sturridge works deftly in the spaces around him, offering a quiet, understated and yet deeply moving performance.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
22 May 2026
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One sentence that looked harmless in an agreement a month ago could suddenly take center stage today.—
Michael Gargiulo,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
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The stalemate that existed has been broken, and the Republicans now seem likely to obtain a meaningful edge heading into the midterms.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
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Among the various aspects of the movie that its English title refers to, not least is the unhinged rampage Lina unleashes at a couple of schoolgirls, a gringa loca on the razor’s edge.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Noun
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The menu spotlights locally sourced Japanese dishes—the nigiri and the sushi rolls are excellent—as well as sake and a solid selection of Japanese whiskey.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
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Alysa Liu, illuminated by a single spotlight at the center of the ice, skated and twirled and jumped and spun through the same routine that helped her capture an Olympic gold medal three months ago.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
18 May 2026
Noun
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Pollsters say that trend means the GOP could maintain a slight upper hand in state capitals heading into the fall.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
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The Virginia measure became a turning point, Jeffries’ biggest swing yet, putting Democrats essentially at parity, if not a potential upper hand in the number of seats gained, and shifting Old Dominion more securely into the party’s column.—
Lisa Mascaro,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Noun
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The move is shocking given Hardy's top billing on the series, which also stars Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren.—
Derek Lawrence,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 May 2026
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The game surely will have some late-season playoff implications as well, giving it top billing on a Chiefs schedule that features quite a few other doozies.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Noun
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Yet, rather than stick her face in socials or seek limelight following such hit-making, Perry dedicated a decade to her home-studio’s red light and also recovering from a 2022 double mastectomy for cancer discovered while prepping for elective reduction surgery.—
A.D. Amorosi,
SPIN,
4 May 2026
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With the Augusta National’s Masters in the recent rearview and Louisville’s Kentucky Derby ahead this weekend, pimento cheese is experiencing peak limelight.—
Jillian Dara,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Earlier, Mars square Pluto may stir tension around creativity, money, attention, or control.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
26 May 2026
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The state’s June 2 primary has galvanized public attention on the first phase of the state’s 2026 election cycle.—
Marc Malkin,
Variety,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catbird seat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catbird%20seat. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
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