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
The expiration of the enhanced premium subsidies for Affordable Care Act coverage is at the crux of the Congressional stalemate to fund the federal government and end the shutdown.
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Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Advertisement But while more efficient monetization of natural resources would provide a shot in the arm, the crux is leveraging that windfall to diversify the economy beyond extractive industries—futureproofing economies for when commodity prices drop.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
The expiration of the ACA subsidies is ultimately the crux of the health insurance cost issue.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Other Democrats are sympathetic to federal workers’ plight but say a larger group of people will be affected by the expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits, the crux of Democrats’ fight against the GOP CR.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the crux
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Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Advertisement But while more efficient monetization of natural resources would provide a shot in the arm, the crux is leveraging that windfall to diversify the economy beyond extractive industries—futureproofing economies for when commodity prices drop.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
The expiration of the ACA subsidies is ultimately the crux of the health insurance cost issue.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Other Democrats are sympathetic to federal workers’ plight but say a larger group of people will be affected by the expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits, the crux of Democrats’ fight against the GOP CR.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 29 Oct. 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 5 Nov. 2025.
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