1
as in consolidating
to bring (something) to a central point or under a single control
centered administrative duties under the command of a single person
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in focusing
to fix (as one's attention) steadily toward a central objective
the students centered their attention on final exams
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of centering
Sikora, a Capitals prospect, has had a strong tournament centering Czechia’s top line and playing on both top special teams.
—
Corey Pronman, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2026
Alexander Payne's bittersweet comedy-drama spans that strange limbo period between Christmas and the new year, centering on a teacher (Paul Giamatti), student (Dominic Sessa), and school cook (Da'Vine Joy Randolph), all with nowhere else to go during the break, who develop an unexpected bond.
—Kate Stroup, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Dec. 2025
Werenski and Charlie Coyle played pitch and catch until Coyle slid down the left-wing wall and fired a centering feed for Voronkov at the back post.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 21 Dec. 2025
On recent runways like Chloé, Versace, and Stella McCartney, the biggest lingerie trends are centering on visibility—bras, bodysuits, and underwear mixed into outfits and meant to be seen, rather than tucked away or saved for special occasions.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 20 Dec. 2025
These are the kinds of faces O’Rourke foregrounds, similarly centering the quotidian to sanctifying effect.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 17 Dec. 2025
Among these were The Cost of Living (1989), centering on the bourgeoisie’s new affluence under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher; Small World (1995), commenting on mass tourism; and Common Sense, critiquing global consumerism.
—News Desk, Artforum, 15 Dec. 2025
Student leaders organize each meeting, centering it around a monthly theme, such as healthy relationships, drug use or gratitude.
—Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 14 Dec. 2025
The television show launched in 2010 to run for five seasons, centering on Elba’s titular detective.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
Corey Pronman, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2026
Alexander Payne's bittersweet comedy-drama spans that strange limbo period between Christmas and the new year, centering on a teacher (Paul Giamatti), student (Dominic Sessa), and school cook (Da'Vine Joy Randolph), all with nowhere else to go during the break, who develop an unexpected bond.
—Kate Stroup, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Dec. 2025
Werenski and Charlie Coyle played pitch and catch until Coyle slid down the left-wing wall and fired a centering feed for Voronkov at the back post.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 21 Dec. 2025
On recent runways like Chloé, Versace, and Stella McCartney, the biggest lingerie trends are centering on visibility—bras, bodysuits, and underwear mixed into outfits and meant to be seen, rather than tucked away or saved for special occasions.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 20 Dec. 2025
These are the kinds of faces O’Rourke foregrounds, similarly centering the quotidian to sanctifying effect.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 17 Dec. 2025
Among these were The Cost of Living (1989), centering on the bourgeoisie’s new affluence under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher; Small World (1995), commenting on mass tourism; and Common Sense, critiquing global consumerism.
—News Desk, Artforum, 15 Dec. 2025
Student leaders organize each meeting, centering it around a monthly theme, such as healthy relationships, drug use or gratitude.
—Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 14 Dec. 2025
The television show launched in 2010 to run for five seasons, centering on Elba’s titular detective.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for centering
Verb
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According to regional reporting, her focus since taking office has been consolidating control within those institutions rather than signaling political reform.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Trade timing & outlook Zoom appears to be completing a multiyear bottoming formation after spending nearly two years consolidating between $60 and $85.—
Tony Zhang,
CNBC,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
This Iranian regime has spent years focusing outside its borders on fomenting terrorism and aggression in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Gaza, instead of listening to the needs of its own citizens.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
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This shows that focusing on quality, technology, and caring for patients is the best way to achieve medical excellence today.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Institutional investors typically buy single-family homes to rent them out, often concentrating in suburban neighborhoods around major metro areas, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.—
Mike Winters,
CNBC,
9 Jan. 2026
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The group was founded in collaboration with the public health organization Institute for Public Strategies with the primary purpose of concentrating on the environment of Lemon Grove.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The company is also debuting A&K × Crystal Cultural Voyages, integrating Abercrombie & Kent tours with Crystal Cruises’ luxury ships, beginning with a Mediterranean sailing in August 2026.—
Josh Roberts,
USA Today,
10 Jan. 2026
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Alongside the 5 digital upgrades discussed above, modern plant and factory operators should consider the enhancement and optimization of wider smart technologies to help improve core operations, particularly with regard to integrating existing physical hardware into new software.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Messthetics—the band formed around Fugazi’s rhythm section of Joe Lally and Brendan Canty—released their debut album in 2018 and a follow-up a year later, before uniting with jazz saxophonist Lewis.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
9 Jan. 2026
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Fighting social services fraud is an issue that seems to be uniting the major parties.—
Tony Aiello,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The suspect ran through red lights and swerved across several lanes on Balboa Boulevard in Encino while driving at around 80 mph before merging onto the northbound 101 Freeway.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2026
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By merging with the just over 50-member Poway Kiwanians, Beavers said the combined group now has 74 members.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The album’s maximalist approach, combining an array of live instruments, VSTs, and samplers, sometimes coheres into true jams.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
7 Jan. 2026
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Kenny said the challenges to combining the spaces became clear once the structure was closely examined.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Centering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/centering. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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