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
Selome Hailu, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
The scientists emphasized that their work focuses on fundamental research and development of wide-bandgap devices designed for top cells in tandem solar cells.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2026
NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
Trees should be a focus, Anderson said, with the most effective watering applied on the ground in a radius from the trunk all the way out to the tips of the branches.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for focus
Verb
As shown in a trailer that Variety can exclusively unveil, the film features interviews with people all over the United States who discuss the the concept of the American Dream, focusing especially on their ideas about work, opportunity, technology and community.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
The scientists emphasized that their work focuses on fundamental research and development of wide-bandgap devices designed for top cells in tandem solar cells.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
So that’s going to be an increasing focus of our military going forward.
—NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
Trees should be a focus, Anderson said, with the most effective watering applied on the ground in a radius from the trunk all the way out to the tips of the branches.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for focus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus
Verb
-
Carrizo Plain National Monument Wildflowers are continuing to bloom across the monument after early winter rains, with displays currently concentrated on the Temblor Range.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Lego can also be more nimble than its competitors during trade disputes or shipping disruptions because its factories are not all concentrated in one area.—
Sarah Whitten,
CNBC,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The synagogue houses a preschool and family center, but officials said all 140 students and staff members were accounted for and safe, according to CNN and other media reports.—
Daniel Hunt
March 12,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Concerns center on Azizi’s ties to regional leaders and the scale of Nation Media’s operations, which employ hundreds of journalists across television, radio, and print in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania.—
Vivianne Wandera,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
When thoughts race, breathe slowly and trust your inner compass to organize your feelings before responding.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The mythic dimension may be missing here, but Holmes darkly captivates within the narrower compass of this energizing revival.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Southwest Airlines is cutting service at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, effectively ceding ground to the two giants jockeying for dominance at the hub.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The nation is moving in two starkly different directions, with states such as Oklahoma, South Carolina and Kentucky phasing out their income tax to attract businesses and population.—
Betsy McCaughey,
Boston Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Morning messages tug your focus in new directions.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Intense airstrikes hit early Friday around Iran's capital, Tehran, as well as outlying areas.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
-
More traditional and slower-paced than Japan’s capital, Tokyo, or its neighbor, Osaka, the city is truly breathtaking in a unique way; rich historic districts, centuries-old temples, and zen gardens stand in for sleek skyscrapers and neon lights.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Vogue,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Most of the money went to the nonprofit Viet America Society for a meals program for seniors and the disabled, but only a fraction was spent for that purpose, according to Do’s plea agreement in 2024.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
17 Mar. 2026
-
However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Each January, that stillness is interrupted by the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting, transforming a quiet alpine town, Davos, into a mecca of power.—
Victoria Bousis,
Rolling Stone,
9 Mar. 2026
-
That’s why the famed Trout Lily Trail in the West Palisades section of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in Atlanta has become a spring mecca for many of us wildflower lovers.—
Charles Seabrook,
AJC.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Focus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/focus. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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