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
In a sense, the drift becomes the crux of the story.
—
Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2025
Crossborder pollution from the river emitted the sewer gas more frequently and at higher levels in April than in other months, sparking odor complaints, questions about what officials are doing and when the crux of the decades-long problem will finally be fixed.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025
In one of his first moves as FCC chairman, Trump appointee Brendan Carr launched an inquiry into whether CBS’ edits of the Harris interview rose to the level of news distortion — the crux of Trump’s lawsuit.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025
When data are carelessly used or callously manipulated, persuasiveness can be downright dangerous, the crux of political propaganda.
—Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for the crux
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Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2025
Crossborder pollution from the river emitted the sewer gas more frequently and at higher levels in April than in other months, sparking odor complaints, questions about what officials are doing and when the crux of the decades-long problem will finally be fixed.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025
In one of his first moves as FCC chairman, Trump appointee Brendan Carr launched an inquiry into whether CBS’ edits of the Harris interview rose to the level of news distortion — the crux of Trump’s lawsuit.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025
When data are carelessly used or callously manipulated, persuasiveness can be downright dangerous, the crux of political propaganda.
—Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for the crux
Cite this Entry
“The crux.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20crux. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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