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
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of focus
Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Talbott is the son of Strobe Talbott, who served as deputy secretary of state under President Bill Clinton after holding senior roles focused on the former Soviet republics.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2025
Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
Given it is a sales market, the focus of any big-ticket premiere is putting wind in the international distribution sails of a show.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Verb
During this period, the cathedral will hold associated events including artist talks and tours focused on the tradition of graffiti in the church’s history.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Talbott is the son of Strobe Talbott, who served as deputy secretary of state under President Bill Clinton after holding senior roles focused on the former Soviet republics.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
That means explaining, with specificity, how working from home enables better focus, faster execution, or higher-quality output—and how these benefits help the team or organization perform better overall.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
Given it is a sales market, the focus of any big-ticket premiere is putting wind in the international distribution sails of a show.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus
Verb
-
These concerns stem from high levels of speculative investment—totaling hundreds of billions of dollars—in artificial intelligence with few manifest payoffs, as well as the market’s top-heavy structure, with significant value concentrated in a handful of AI-bullish tech stocks.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
-
In a dressing room, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end concentrates while practicing carrying his then-girlfriend during the Tortured Poets Department section of the three-hour show, with the scene cutting to the couple re-enacting it in full costume on stage.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Einav Zangauker, center, the mother of Israeli captive Matan Zangauker, celebrates at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv today.—
Yamiche Alcindor,
NBC news,
10 Oct. 2025
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China places export controls on rare earth minerals The new rules curb the supply chain for the semiconductors that are used in phones, computers, AI data centers, cars, solar panels, and other IT kit.—
Geoff Colvin,
Fortune,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The car featured three particularly unique elements — the ashtray, the 'suicide knob' on the steering wheel, and the compass.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
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Starting in 1910, the company served as the secretive supplier to the commandos of the Italian Navy, starting out crafting precision instruments such as gun sights and luminescent compasses before creating its first watches in 1935.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Additional air travel delays and cancellations are possible Monday for major hubs like Washington, DC, New York City and Boston.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The company was founded in 1948 in Civitanova Marche — one of Italy’s main shoes manufacturing hubs — by Giuseppe and Cecilia Paciotti, Cesare and Paola’s parents.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Swim in a direction following the shoreline.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Add pasta; cook according to package directions for al dente.—
Elizabeth Mervosh,
Southern Living,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But there have been signs that Kim has spent months preparing for a major parade in the capital Pyongyang, potentially at night and involving tens of thousands of people, according to the South Korean military.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
9 Oct. 2025
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What to do in Glasgow Glasgow’s reputation as Scotland’s gritty second city—compared to the regal, castle-on-a-hill status of Edinburgh, the country’s capital—has been changing lately, thanks to sprawling parks, boundary-pushing museums, and a dining scene that punches far above its weight.—
Chris Dong,
AFAR Media,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The description herein is a summary and intended for informational purposes only and does not include all terms, conditions and exclusions of the policies described.—
David McMillin,
CNBC,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Each piece was weathered and color-coded to signal hierarchy and purpose, grounding the film’s grand concept of a migrating Earth into reality.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
New York City remains the cocktail mecca of the Americas, with four Big Apple bars making this year’s list, including the East Village’s Superbueno (rising 15 places to 12), the West Village’s Sip & Guzzle (39), the Lower East Side’s Double Chicken Please (41), and FiDi’s Overstory (46).—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
9 Oct. 2025
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Make no mistake, though, this footballing mecca, where the turnstiles closed for the final time 25 years ago this week, was a truly special place.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Focus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/focus. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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