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
However, the crux of the matter lies in the quality of that protection.
—
Rodrigo Tardin, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
The buy is the crux of the role and everything rolls up into it.
—Raj Dhiman, Sourcing Journal, 23 Jan. 2026
This moment marked the crux of a seemingly insane personal challenge that Liberato—an ultrarunner, coach, and yes, regular psychedelics user—took on in 2025.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 22 Jan. 2026
That basically has stood at the crux of the approach.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the crux
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Rodrigo Tardin, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
The buy is the crux of the role and everything rolls up into it.
—Raj Dhiman, Sourcing Journal, 23 Jan. 2026
This moment marked the crux of a seemingly insane personal challenge that Liberato—an ultrarunner, coach, and yes, regular psychedelics user—took on in 2025.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 22 Jan. 2026
That basically has stood at the crux of the approach.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 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 4 Feb. 2026.
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