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
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
Gifts of experience are also highly personal because they are based on a person's interest and focus on not only creating memories but spending quality time together.
—Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Nov. 2025
Tala Alrajjal, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
Decades of success followed with a focus on Nebbiolo in his Barolos and Barbarescos, and in 1994, the acquisition of Pieve Santa Restituta in Montalcino brought great Sangiovese into the fold.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Verb
In the coming years, security professionals working in extreme environments should benefit from semi-automated workflows optimized to reduce fatigue and provide teams the freedom to focus on more complex aspects of their roles.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
Gifts of experience are also highly personal because they are based on a person's interest and focus on not only creating memories but spending quality time together.
—Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
This week, at the annual Future Investment Initiative in the same location, the scale, ambition and deep pockets behind the project came into clearer focus.
—Tala Alrajjal, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
Decades of success followed with a focus on Nebbiolo in his Barolos and Barbarescos, and in 1994, the acquisition of Pieve Santa Restituta in Montalcino brought great Sangiovese into the fold.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus
Verb
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But only 29 out of 58 counties participate, with most of them concentrated in population centers like the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego and the Central Valley.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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Parents may notice irritability, difficulty concentrating or early bedtime resistance during the first few days after the change.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The organization's dogs don't just support New Yorkers on marathon day; New York Therapy Animals' fluffy volunteers spread smiles across the city's hospitals, healthcare facilities, day centers, and assisted living facilities.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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Dylan Buell / Getty Images When the topic of the ball came up — yes, that ball from Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 64-point night — Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner couldn’t help but laugh.—
Darnell Mayberry,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Years later the compass was created to help direct philanthropists, investors, officials and nonprofits to determine the most effective way to improve access and opportunity.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Then, in the thirteenth century, refinements to an ancient technology, the compass, led to its widespread adoption by sailors.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Founded in Melbourne, Airwallex later moved to the Asian finance hub of Singapore after launching in the country in early 2022.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
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Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The week ahead could bring butterflies to your heart and push you to step outside of your comfort zone and go in slightly new directions.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Our test model featured a heads-up display that projects information like navigation directions and more.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
DeCosta has the cap space and draft capital to acquire help before Tuesday’s trade deadline.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The company upped its capital expenditures outlook to between $70 billion and $72 billion, up from $66 billion to $72 billion.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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However, this approach defeats the primary purpose of insurance, which is to protect against catastrophic costs in the event of an unexpected medical crisis.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Grief pressed in, but so did purpose.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Jackson Hole, Wyoming A rugged and untamed spirit defines Jackson Hole, a resort that has long earned its reputation as a mecca for expert skiers.—
Charles Curkin,
Vogue,
27 Oct. 2025
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The effort required for just the technical elements is so extensive that Van Cleef opened a special atelier for Extraordinary Objects in Sainte-Croix, Switzerland’s mecca for automaton making.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Focus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/focus. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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