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
Doe says this treatment is at the crux of her suit against the hospital.
—
Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
And that’s really the crux of it.
—New Atlas, 9 Apr. 2026
And here is the crux of the issue.
—Francesca Cassidy, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2026
That’s the crux of Easter’s message.
—Colin Fleming, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the crux
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Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
And that’s really the crux of it.
—New Atlas, 9 Apr. 2026
And here is the crux of the issue.
—Francesca Cassidy, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2026
That’s the crux of Easter’s message.
—Colin Fleming, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 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 19 Apr. 2026.
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