refocus

verb

re·​fo·​cus (ˌ)rē-ˈfō-kəs 

refocused; refocusing; refocuses

transitive verb

1

: to focus again

2

: to change the emphasis or direction of

had refocused his life

intransitive verb

1

: to focus something again

2

: to change emphasis or direction

Examples of refocus in a Sentence

She refocused her energies toward a career in music.

He needs to refocus his attention on his schoolwork.

Sports are not a priority now. You need to refocus and improve your grades.

Recent Examples on the Web

However, the killing of two people by federal agents in recent weeks has refocused plans. —Arkansas Online, 29 Jan. 2026

In issuing their memos and refocusing performance reviews on results, the CEOs may be triggering employees’ anxiety. —Claire Zillman, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026

However, the killing of two people by federal agents in recent weeks has refocused plans. —Meg Kinnard, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026

Trump on Tuesday hopes to refocus voters’ attention on his efforts to bring costs down in a speech in Iowa, a state whose farming industry was hurt in the president’s trade war. —J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1865, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for refocus

• defocus
• autofocus
• crocus
• focus
• hocus
• locus

Medical Definition

refocus

transitive verb

re·​fo·​cus (ˈ)rē-ˈfō-kəs 

: to focus again

intransitive verb

: to focus something again