Thesaurus results for FOCUS

focus 1 of 2

verb

Definition of focus

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

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focus

2 of 2

noun

ˈfō-kəs

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

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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of focus

Verb

While stereotypes focus on tragedy and horror, Rosales reorients our gaze, revealing moments of tenderness and boredom, rest and joy. — Myriam Gurba, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026 The Board is actively engaged in the process of selecting the festival’s next executive director and is focused on ensuring a smooth transition ahead of the 28th Annual Woodstock Film Festival. — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026

Noun

Season 2 widens that footprint, extending the franchise’s musical and cultural range while keeping its focus on its traditions. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026 Ascherson chose a life, with its focus on seeing as much of the world as possible, that functioned as a reproach to that kind of ignorance. — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for focus

Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus

Verb

The bans will stop imports of a wide range of Canadian goods, including whey protein concentrates, nonalcoholic beer, beers and sparkling wines.

— Michael Loria, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
The male loneliness epidemic has become something of a buzzword, though research shows that loneliness is about equal across genders, and concentrated among younger people.

— Emily Kelleher, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of concentrate

Noun

The latest forecast predicts the center will pass roughly 115 to 150 miles west of Kauai, close enough that any additional eastward shifts in the track could bring stronger winds and greater impacts, particularly to Kauai, the hurricane center said.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
The center makes the protection calls, and often, zone runs cut vertically toward the center.

— Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of center

Noun

This hubbub somehow awakens the mysterious powers of the titular compass, transporting the twosome to ‘Golden City’ in China, modeled after the Forbidden City, where a storyline based on Chinese mythology is about to get going.

— Caspar Salmon, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
In the third volume of her Diaspora Quartet, Lee follows the Koh family from Australia to Korea to the United States as their paterfamilias John hews to his strong inner compass.

— Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of compass

Noun

The collaboration aims to develop a robust local supply chain and position India as a strategic manufacturing and export hub for advanced rocket systems.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
The airport is one of the busiest in the country, seeing some 26 million passengers board flights out of the hub in 2025, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of hub

Noun

Our study takes only a tiny step – but still a step – in that direction, helping to nail down the mechanism of exotic superconductivity in graphene.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
The Florida Department of Transportation website notes that at least one lane in each direction will remain open at all times.

— Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of direction

Noun

Consequently, the ramifications of Japan's policy changes are no longer confined to the yen and domestic markets, but are fast becoming a key variable influencing global interest rates and capital flows.

— , CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
At the time, a conviction for a capital felony carried either life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.

— Greg Smith, Hartford Courant, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of capital

Noun

The barbecue mecca in Caldwell County is home to around 18,000 people and roughly a half-hour drive from south Austin, traffic depending.

— Eleanor Dearman Updated August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of mecca

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foci

focus

focused

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“Focus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/focus. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of focus

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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