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upstager

upstager

8.4
An actor who tries to be the center of attention on stage, ignoring other actors
  • noun
  • /ˈʌpˌsteɪdʒər/
translation icon : robaescenas
  • The director warned the cast not to let any upstager overshadow the main characters during their performances.

Examples

  • She was such an upstager that every time she entered the scene, the audience couldn't focus on anyone else.

  • Special effects come across as the flashy upstager of the film.

    Blog text (22)
  • During the play, the actor acted as an upstager, stealing the spotlight from his fellow performers.

Synonyms

exhibitionist
vsupstager
7 7.5

Someone who behaves to get attention by showing off skills or style

does so specifically by drawing focus away from other stage performers
grandstander
vsupstager
  • Literature
1 8.6

A person who tries to get attention by doing showy things in front of other people

focuses specifically on stealing stage attention from fellow performers
scene-stealer
vsupstager
  • Literature
1 6.1

A person or thing that gets more attention than others in a scene

deliberately takes attention from fellow performers on stage
drama king
vsupstager
  • Offensive
1 7.5

A man or boy who makes his feelings seem bigger than they are to get attention

intentionally draws attention from fellow performers through stage acts
histrion
vsupstager
  • Archaic
9.9

A person who acts in a very dramatic, showy way

seeks attention on stage by overshadowing fellow performers

How Attention-Seeking

attention whore
  • Offensive
2 9.9
diva
  • Offensive
32 6.0
upstager
8.4
show-off
  • Offensive
12 4.8
ham
  • Offensive
17 8.3
scene-stealer
  • Literature
1 6.1

Surface Forms

upstager singular
upstagers plural

Morphology

upstager = upstage (transparent) = upstage + er

Agent noun formed by the productive suffix '-er' from the verb 'upstage', so the meaning is straightforward for learners who know 'upstage'.

Etymology

Upstager comes from the stage phrase upstage, where up means 'toward the back' and stage means the performance area. If an actor stood 'upstage' of another they could draw the audience's eye away, so an upstager is someone who takes attention from others.