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
That overpayment is the crux of a pending federal criminal trial of the congresswoman and her brother.
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Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Erik Ekudden, Chief Technology Officer, Ericsson Speed is, of course, the crux of the matter when discussing European competitiveness.
—Francesca Cassidy, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
The filing had few details about the crux of the company’s financial woes — the loans that Preferred Bank and Nano Banc provided through separate mortgages.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
Witch stories have long served as fertile ground for exploring feminism, and the mall provides a natural stage for critiquing the crux of current western culture.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the crux
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Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Erik Ekudden, Chief Technology Officer, Ericsson Speed is, of course, the crux of the matter when discussing European competitiveness.
—Francesca Cassidy, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
The filing had few details about the crux of the company’s financial woes — the loans that Preferred Bank and Nano Banc provided through separate mortgages.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
Witch stories have long served as fertile ground for exploring feminism, and the mall provides a natural stage for critiquing the crux of current western culture.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
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 5 Apr. 2026.
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