the crux

noun

: the most important part of something (such as a problem, issue, puzzle, etc.)

—usually + of

The crux of the matter is that people are afraid of change.

It's taken a while to get to the crux of the problem, but I think I finally understand it.

Examples of the crux in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This reflects changing attitudes about school farm programs — and that seems to be the crux of the opposition. —Teri Sforza, Orange County Register, 23 Apr. 2024

And that’s the crux of what makes early-stage investing—seed stage especially—unique. —Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2024

And therein lies the crux, and the tension of the show. —Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024

At the crux of the divide is Bristol Women’s Health, a clinic that opened on the Virginia side weeks before the Tennessee ban prompted a provider there to stop offering abortions. —USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2024

At the crux of it is two aging wastewater plants on either side of the U.S.-Mexico border: the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant and the San Antonio de los Buenos Wastewater Treatment Plant. —Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2024

In a sense, Huffman’s plan got at the crux of Reddit’s value to the internet. —Paresh Dave, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024

Darnold lost that finale against the Rams 21-20 as the 49ers pulled their first-string unit, dropping his record as an NFL starter to 21-35, the crux of which came his first three seasons as the New York Jets’ No. 3 overall pick in 2018. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024

At the crux of the debate on House Bill 1426, though, is an amendment added during a House committee at the start of the session that specified only subdermal implants need to be stocked in maternity wards. —Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Mar. 2024