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

Many of us likely won't break out our USA merch or decor until July 4, Divita says, when the crux of USA 250 events take place. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 14 May 2026

Yes She Cannes, a Croisette fixture since 2018, says the competition section is where the crux of the issue lies. —Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026

Housing affordability, healthcare, and energy are the crux of the framework, which have already shaped up to be major factors in the 2026 elections. —Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 13 May 2026

That distinction is the crux of the matter for luxury brands, already beset by the overall luxury slowdown, pushback on rising prices, and growing influencer oversaturation. —Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 May 2026

Rhymes for the crux

• deluxe
• influx
• mamluks
• redux
• woodchucks
• chucks
• ducks
• dux
• flux
• klux
• lux
• plucks