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crux

noun

ˈkrəks How to pronounce crux (audio)
Definition of cruxnext
as in essence
the central part or aspect of something under consideration the crux of the problem is that the school's current budget is totally inadequate

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 crux The noise reached its crux during the Oklahoma State game, after which — coincidentally or not — Peterson started playing more. — Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026 And midway up the ascent, Herson encountered an unbelievably challenging crux. — Frederick Dreier, Outside, 16 Mar. 2026 That, for him, was the practical crux. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026 Climb Ice Cream features flavors named after terms familiar to climbers, such as pRappel (ube chocolate chip), K2 (spicy apple pie), Mount Matcha, v3 (vanilla), chocolate crux and more. — Samantha Gowen, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crux
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crux
  1. essence
  2. root
  3. core
  4. heart
  5. point
  6. kernel
Noun
  • But this is preposterous, this is insanity, this is the very essence of bedlam.
    — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Wittgenstein proposed to abandon the appeal to essences for the concept of family resemblance.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of essence
Noun
  • Legion targets contested airspace The system’s roots stretch back to Lockheed Martin’s earlier IRST work.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Many South Koreans believe the government needs to do more to address the root causes behind the epidemic.
    — Will Barker, TheWeek, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of root
Noun
  • Related Stories That’s around four times the average budget of Spain’s core subsidy fund at the country‘s ICAA Film Board.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Waymo plans to operate in and around Charlotte’s uptown core and expand gradually over time, the company said.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of core
Noun
  • To lead a child to a gas chamber demands a hardness of heart that must be cultivated.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
  • To Longwell, such statements suggest that voters don’t want politicians to force them to choose between their hearts and their fears.
    — Isaac Arnsdorf, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of heart
Noun
  • Eight dining experiences are complimentary and on-point with food and drink trends.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Selling the 210 put and 245 call, each 10 points further from the money, generates a credit that partially finances the trade.
    — Julia Spina, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of point
Noun
  • The grain is smaller than wheat, for example, and farmers and researchers still are finding the best ways to adapt farm equipment so the kernel isn’t damaged during harvest.
    — Joshua A. Bickel, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
  • When the pressure is released, the mold then snaps up like a kernel of popcorn to the final size of a midsole, with the tiny holes expanding to the brand’s signature CloudTec pattern.
    — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of kernel

Browse Nearby Words

crutches
crux
cruxes
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Cite this Entry

“Crux.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crux. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on crux

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crux

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