focus 1 of 2

verb

Definition of focusnext
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 How to pronounce focus (audio)
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. 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
Griffith’s Mason Litke has an inkling that focusing on linebacker instead of running back has worked out well, both for him and the team. — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 Abrams focuses on 18th and 19th century headstones in remote yet picturesque graveyards in Vermont, and her viewers are drawn to her deep dives into the past that also touch on the dark nature of death and spirits. — Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
Former President Barack Obama has offered a similar perspective, arguing that excellence often requires periods of intense focus at the expense of other priorities. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026 As a result, as the war has become entrenched, in particular since 2024, Moscow has shifted its focus to more advanced ballistic salvo waves, including strikes using Russia’s intermediate-range Oreshnik ballistic missile. — Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for focus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus
  1. concentrate
  2. center
  3. compass
  4. hub
  5. direction
  6. capital
  7. purpose
  8. mecca
Verb
  • In the short term, the more concentrated the bet, the more severe the potential reckoning.
    — Ming Lu, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Moscow believes that Washington is thus seeking to reduce its commitments in secondary theaters—particularly Europe and the Middle East—in order to concentrate political, military, and organizational resources on Beijing.
    — Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of concentrate
Noun
  • Sequenced at the center of a three-track medley, its death-dream logic deliberately evokes the SMiLE era’s dark, confusing edge.
    — Ryan Meehan, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Amid the deadlock, Hinson is making her own play for the center.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of center
Noun
  • From brand to content, quality as a compass Which still meant for Haylaz crafting quality content, based on impactful characters kids could relate to.
    — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Can this compass take you to the Olive Garden in Times Square?
    — Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of compass
Noun
  • As the storm moved eastward into continental Europe, Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport warned travelers of cancellations and delays of flights to and from the busy aviation hub caused by strong winds that were battering the Netherlands.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • As emerging economies and coastal hubs face growing power shortfalls, modular floating plants offer a way to secure grid capacity while keeping the door open to future hydrogen adoption.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of hub
Noun
  • Brennan said his letter was based on direction offered by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in November.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Reversing the voltage’s polarity reversed the direction of rotation.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of direction
Noun
  • While the company is a private-sector operator, it is backed by the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala and International Holding Company, which is affiliated with state capital.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb also met with the Ukrainian president in Norway's capital.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of capital
Noun
  • Combined with its co-founders' pledge to donate 80% of their equity and an employee donation matching program, roughly 20% of Anthropic's shares will be dedicated to public purposes, excluding any additional shares added later.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Future deployments Placing the geothermal plant on top of a natural hydrothermal vent was a one-time test for purely research and demonstration purposes, Redd said.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of purpose
Noun
  • But in the eight years since that location opened its doors, the brand has grown, and the mall has evolved from small art galleries into a vintage mecca.
    — Max Berlinger, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Food meccas include Pier 57 (hit Nom Wah for legendary dim sum, or LoLo’s on the Water for the fish fry) and, of course, Chelsea Market (try Miznon’s pita cheeseburger and roasted cauliflower, and Ayada’s mango sticky rice).
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of mecca

Browse Nearby Words

foci
focus
focused
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Cite this Entry

“Focus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/focus. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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