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

Relevance

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

That question was brought to the forefront of the Development Authority of Fulton County’s meeting Tuesday when the board considered tax break requests for two projects focused on rental housing. — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 29 Oct. 2026 Though Wilson did not mention Ralph Norman by name, his speech focused heavily on the implication that Norman supporters may not support Graham on Tuesday. — Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2026

Noun

But the main focus is Sanaa’s relationship with her late father and her guilt over how she may be connected to his crimes. — Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026 Three Spanish projects have been selected as part of Les Arcs Film Festival’s wider 2026 country focus devoted to Spain. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for focus

Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus

Verb

Such a division of responsibilities could allow Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to concentrate on demanding tasks such as area air defence, missile defence and long-range strike operations.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
After college, Lincoln earned a master’s degree in art history from the University of Delaware in 1972, concentrating on 20th century art and classical art.

— Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of concentrate

Noun

Ben’s view Hoffman, who sometimes works from a small swivel chair in her children’s room, has followed a path from social video into the center of the swirling news cycles of true crime and celebrity.

— Ben Smith, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
After police cordoned off an area in the city center, the situation calmed down by early Sunday morning.

— Angela Charlton, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of center

Noun

The emotional compass of the United Farm Workers of America for decades, the petite mother of 14 attained singular stature as a rule-breaking proto-feminist, godmother of the Chicano power movement and doyenne of American labor.

— James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Agent 12, for example, spent most of its time forming shapes such as a compass or a clock, and figures such as a butterfly or a sailboat.

— Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of compass

Noun

Tens of thousands of people across more than 30 cities took to the streets, including in the capital Berlin and financial hub Frankfurt, in protests organized by the campaign group Gen Z regelt (Gen Z takes charge).

— Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 1 Nov. 2026
To tout their readiness for the midterms, Fulton County officials invited media to the same sprawling elections hub where FBI agents seized more than 650 boxes of ballots and other 2020 election records nine months ago.

— Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of hub

Noun

Keithsolis Brown and Darrell Burke were arrested Tuesday and both face capital murder charges.

— Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
With the balance of power in Tallahassee at stake, Miami’s Republican state senators fended off tough challenges Tuesday night, while Democratic candidates flipped several South Florida state House seats for the minority party in Florida’s capital.

— Miami Herald staff, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of capital

Noun

North Korea’s Missile Administration said its cluster warheads fall into four categories, depending on their intended purpose.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
The flashback structure doesn’t serve much of a purpose except to delay the audience’s complete endorsement of a character who, though appropriately cantankerous, is unambiguously a hero and nice guy.

— Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of purpose

Noun

In the winter, this is one-horse town completely transforms into a mecca for serious backcountry skiers.

— Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of mecca

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foci

focus

focused

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Style

“Focus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/focus. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of focus

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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