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
Billboard Japan, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2025
Such measures, calling for researchers to focus on purchasing data from the private sector, could mark a significant change for the agency.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2025
With the 2025 season cut shorter than they’d like, LaBonta knows the focus will now turn to 2026.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Verb
Your work focuses on the Asia-Pacific region, is that right?
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2025
Such measures, calling for researchers to focus on purchasing data from the private sector, could mark a significant change for the agency.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
Unfortunately for the offense, Young wasn’t able to capitalize on the Saints’ focus on the run game.
—Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2025
With the 2025 season cut shorter than they’d like, LaBonta knows the focus will now turn to 2026.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus
Verb
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In addition to his prolific work as a director, Neville is also the President and Founder of Tremolo Productions, an award-winning production company concentrating on quality non-fiction storytelling.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
10 Nov. 2025
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The shift represents a fundamental reorientation of the Navy’s strike doctrine, concentrating its most time-sensitive capabilities closer to potential flashpoints.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The source of the flare is an active galactic nucleus, or AGN — a bright, compact region at the center of a galaxy — and it’s powered by a supermassive black hole that is actively feeding on material.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Global capability centers have evolved far beyond tech support, but their growth presents challenges for multinationals and Indian cities alike.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 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
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Food hubs can increase local food access by aggregating food products from small to mid-sized farms and distributing them to underserved communities, schools, hospitals and retail stores.—
Cristina LaRue,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
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The flight originated in Alexandria, Louisiana, home to the largest deportation hub in the United States, then made a stop in Atlanta, and continued south to Tapachula, according to ICE Flight Monitor, which tracks ICE flight data on behalf of Human Rights First, an advocacy group.—
Daniel Gonzalez,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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At a moment of increasing niche-ification of the news media business, Axel Springer is running in the opposite direction.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Automation can go in either of these directions; that’s why the task of the left is to create social and cultural conditions in which the benign and constructive aspects of technology and automation are primary.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Criticism of India As the leader of the US’ largest city and financial capital, any mayor of New York is given an outsized role on the world stage.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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The next morning, Burgher parents—oblivious to the fighting that had broken out in the capital—had lined the walkways and cheered as their children filed into schools with pencils and notebooks and tense faces, some bravely managing a smile, others rigid with fear.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 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
-
Grief pressed in, but so did purpose.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Gilbert’s real estate company developed the complex at the former Hudson’s, a shopping mecca for generations that closed in 1983.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Focus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/focus. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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