Entry Word: concentrate

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to increase the amount of (a substance in a mixture) by removing other substances <prolonged boiling is required to concentrate the sap when making maple syrup>

Synonyms condense

Related Words distill (or distil), purify, refine; compact, harden, solidify; deepen, enhance, heighten, intensify; evaporate, extract, remove

Near Antonyms weaken

Antonyms dilute, water (down)

2 to fix (as oneʼs attention) steadily toward a central objective <a president who will try to concentrate public attention on the problems of inner cities>

Synonyms fasten, focus, rivet, train

Related Words aim, direct, level, point, zero (in on); attend, heed, mind

3 to bring (something) to a central point or under a single control <concentrate our efforts on the most important issues> — see centralize
4 to bring together in one body or place <concentrate your forces on the right side of the battlefield> — see gather 1
5 to come together into one body or place <recent immigrants tend to concentrate in port cities> — see assemble 1