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
Like most other nearby attractions, the inn pulls from its town’s inescapable musical history, specifically focused on the lady legends of rock; rooms are respectively named after Carole King, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Nicks, and Joni Mitchell. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026 Promotions in the category continued to focus on gift sets reserved for VIP members and gifts-with-purchase in full sizes, offering consumers the prospect of the lowest prices of the year despite growing fatigue around discounting. — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 12 Nov. 2026
Noun
With his focus on Florida’s final three games, Sumrall also has an eye on 2027. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2026 The website will go live on Veterans Day, and ways to connect will be shared on social media, with a focus on California, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and Montana. — Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 11 Nov. 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
  • The researchers found that these structures concentrated electrical activity into tiny hotspots, helping amplify the material’s ability to damage bacterial cells.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The technology and infrastructure needed to recycle these materials are also concentrated in a handful of nations, like China.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of concentrate
Noun
  • The Clippers were without center Isaiah Jackson (groin), as well as former Pelicans star Brandon Ingram (heel), who is close to his debut for his new team.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2026
  • At least 55 Ukrainians were killed Monday when Russia bombed a school building used as a shelter and aid center in Zaporizhzhia, one of the deadliest incidents of a conflict in its fifth year.
    — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of center
Noun
  • In December 2019, a DJI Matrice M600 Pro surveying a construction site experienced a GPS-compass error.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
  • This may be because there are many new hunters who either lack wilderness smarts or who have read articles in the magazines explaining how a man in the woods can find his way by taking bearings with a compass on top of a map.
    — Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of compass
Noun
  • Yet the group would help transform that club and Max’s Kansas City into hubs for punk bands and the avant-garde such as Blondie, the Ramones and Talking Heads.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Alaska could be transformed into a major data center hub following a new assessment of natural gas resources in the region which appear big enough to power huge advanced computing and AI sites.
    — Oliver Trapnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of hub
Noun
  • In some applications, the process can also work in the opposite direction.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Politics is cyclical, and swing voters have proved consistently in recent years that their loyalties tend in no particular direction.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of direction
Noun
  • Among the issues veterans face is a lack of access to capital.
    — Susan Sarkauskas, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The highest number of outstanding votes Tuesday were in Hinds County, a blue stronghold around the state capital of Jackson, with another chunk remaining in nearby Holmes County, which is even bluer.
    — Gregory S. Schneider The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 11 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

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 13 Nov. 2026.

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