center 1 of 2

noun

ˈsen-tər How to pronounce center (audio)
Definition of centernext
1
as in hub
a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest a stretch of coastline that has long been the area's center of tourism

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in middle
an area or point that is an equal distance from all points along an edge or outer surface the center of the earth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

center

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to consolidate
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to focus
to fix (as one's attention) steadily toward a central objective the students centered their attention on final exams

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of center
Noun
Jackson Holliday singled leading off the eighth and, with one out, Basallo hit his first career pinch homer, a shot to center. — Harvey Valentine, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026 Sony has opted for an all-new center stand (called the Mirage Stand) instead of the traditional feet at either end of its TVs. — Prakhar Khanna, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Verb
The partnership began in 2003, when 50 Cent and Reebok announced a long-term agreement centered on the G-Unit Collection by RBK. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 17 Aug. 2026 The update, reported by the New York Post on Sunday, offers another sign that Griffin remains committed to a major New York presence even as his financial empire has increasingly centered its operations in Miami. — Luisa Yanez august 17, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for center
Recent Examples of Synonyms for center
  1. hub
  2. middle
  3. consolidate
  4. focus
  5. capital
  6. midst
  7. concentrate
  8. mecca
Noun
  • Along with trying to shave the Republican advantage in the district's dozen-plus rural counties, Bohannan is also trying to gain a foothold in its more urban and suburban hubs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The Santa Fe Plaza, the center of the original Spanish walled city, remains the cultural hub of downtown.
    — Dan Fellner, AZCentral.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of hub
Noun
  • Betts followed with a single up the middle to drive in Hernández.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Catching passes across the middle or hauling in deep balls, Pickens looks ready for a big season.
    — Jon Machota, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of middle
Verb
  • Critics dismissed the polls, held in phases in December and January, as a sham designed to consolidate the military’s grip on power while ostensibly restoring civilian rule.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The leadership change at the film commission, a unit of foreign trade promotion agency Procomer, comes as new conservative populist president Laura Fernandez, who took office in May, consolidates her administration.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of consolidate
Verb
  • Speakers focused on the expansion of surveillance cameras across metro Atlanta, recent cases involving officers accused of misusing Flock data and concerns about immigration enforcement.
    — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • For them, the value is in being able to settle in, skip the logistics and focus on enjoying the time away.
    — Judith Garrison, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of focus
Noun
  • Iran’s economy was in a poor state before the war too, with dire economic conditions a key driving factor behind the anti-regime demonstrations which kicked off in the Iranian capital Tehran in 2025.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • As the world has become less secure, Lagarde said on Wednesday, capital flows into Europe have been put at risk.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of capital
Noun
  • In June, The Athletic reported that McAfee was in the midst of contract extension talks for a deal that would pay him $60 million to $65 million per year and could include a bigger role in the network’s NFL coverage.
    — Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Rafael Cabral stopped one shot for Real Salt Lake in the midst of a 0-3-3 skid.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of midst
Verb
  • Forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, losing a word mid-sentence and feeling mentally slower are all common complaints during the menopause transition.
    — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Dairy products including milk, cream, whey and milk protein concentrates.
    — Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of concentrate
Noun
  • The popular theatre was a cultural mecca that drew thousands to its operas, ballets and other public events, and hosted legendary greats including Maria Callas and Franco Zeffirelli.
    — Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • The long-standing problem is that Skid Row is both a social service center and a mecca of drugs and other vices, with traps on every block.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of mecca

Phrases Containing center

Browse Nearby Words

centenarian
center
centered
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Cite this Entry

“Center.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/center. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on center

Nglish: Translation of center for Spanish Speakers

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