as in to concentrate
to fix (as one's attention) steadily toward a central objective
try to focus your attention on the task at hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in center
a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest
in the 19th century Paris was the focus of the art world
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in compass
a guiding or motivating purpose or principle
a wildlife conservation organization that seems to have lost its focus
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of focus
Susan Page, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
The children each attended the Special Music School, a public school focused on the arts.
—Eliza Shapiro, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2026
The poverty line’s narrow focus on food leaves out how much other expenses are now sucking up incomes and lowballing the minimum amount Americans need to get by.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for focus
Verb
That is, that the country should focus on its problems at home, not on its role around the world.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
The children each attended the Special Music School, a public school focused on the arts.
—Eliza Shapiro, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
The focus of the review is scrutiny over the organizer — the campaign doesn’t include a specific individual tied to the fundraiser nor has GoFundMe confirmed that proceeds would benefit Dane’s family.
—Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2026
The poverty line’s narrow focus on food leaves out how much other expenses are now sucking up incomes and lowballing the minimum amount Americans need to get by.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for focus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus
Verb
-
Research shows that people who skip a morning meal may be more likely to feel tired and have trouble concentrating during the day.—
Carrie Madormo,
Verywell Health,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Eau de toilettes typically fall in the 7 to 12% range, eau de parfums land around 15 to 20%, and concentrates (also known as extraits) can reach 22 to 30%.—
Allure,
Allure,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Knicks were only without McBride, and Detroit was missing two key rotation pieces in centers Isaiah Stewart and Duren due to suspension.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
In the footage and images released by the FBI, the suspect appears to have a gun holstered near the center of his waist – an unusual position – and is seen wearing a backpack with reflective straps.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Likewise, this administration has demonstrated a talent for sudden pivots — foreign policy statements that change overnight, budget proposals that evaporate by morning, and messaging that suggests the communications team may be using different maps, compasses and time zones.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Instead, use it as a compass to drive your situational needs for the spaces that mean the most to you.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Today, the city is a major hub for tech companies like Google, Facebook, and Airbnb.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Trump’s direction of the hospital ship to Greenland comes shortly after NATO began boosting its defense in the Arctic, largely conducting military drills.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The publication’s top editors are jockeying for the editor-in-chief role, a powerful position at a magazine where the writers, rather than the business side, traditionally control the direction of the enterprise.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That decision came a month before jurors were set to be selected for the high-profile capital murder trial.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Noel Hacegaba, who last month took the helm of the Port of Long Beach, has greenlit the largest capital-spending plan of any port in North America.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Captures and killings of cartel leaders serve a strategic purpose of showing that something is being done, but the effectiveness of such policies in the long run is very limited.—
Angélica Durán-Martínez,
The Conversation,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The Idaho Majority Club’s website provided few details on the purpose of the event.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
At Sunin Plaza, the do-it-yourself PC mecca in Seoul, the usual weekday buzz has evaporated.—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
At Sunin Plaza, the do-it-yourself PC mecca in Seoul, the usual weekday buzz has evaporated.—
Debby Wu,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Focus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/focus. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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