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

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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

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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

Griffith’s Mason Litke has an inkling that focusing on linebacker instead of running back has worked out well, both for him and the team. — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 Abrams focuses on 18th and 19th century headstones in remote yet picturesque graveyards in Vermont, and her viewers are drawn to her deep dives into the past that also touch on the dark nature of death and spirits. — Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Noun

Former President Barack Obama has offered a similar perspective, arguing that excellence often requires periods of intense focus at the expense of other priorities. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026 As a result, as the war has become entrenched, in particular since 2024, Moscow has shifted its focus to more advanced ballistic salvo waves, including strikes using Russia’s intermediate-range Oreshnik ballistic missile. — Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for focus

Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus

Verb

In the short term, the more concentrated the bet, the more severe the potential reckoning.

— Ming Lu, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Moscow believes that Washington is thus seeking to reduce its commitments in secondary theaters—particularly Europe and the Middle East—in order to concentrate political, military, and organizational resources on Beijing.

— Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of concentrate

Noun

Janabi said one of the biggest challenges has been persuading those who are infected to seek medical assistance, adding that some deaths occur in the community outside of health centers.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Still, if the new CBS is managing to hold the center in Washington, there’s been a far more dramatic shift in coverage of Israel and Gaza.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of center

Noun

Culver City explored emergency moratoriums on building permits for AV fleet facilities, while Santa Monica used local noise and traffic ordinances to restrict 24-hour charging hubs.

— Andrew Hawkins, The Verge, 18 Oct. 2026
Those improvements are expected to expand classroom and theater space and create a more centralized hub for students.

— Neil Nakahodo, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of hub

Noun

No other age bracket recorded a change in median net worth larger than 6% in either direction, according to Maggiulli, writing in his blog, Of Dollars and Data.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
When the plant roots encounter an area acidified by decaying plant matter—a chemical gradient distinct from that of animal matter—ABA builds up on the side facing the rot, encouraging growth in the other direction.

— Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of direction

Noun

While the company is a private-sector operator, it is backed by the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala and International Holding Company, which is affiliated with state capital.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb also met with the Ukrainian president in Norway's capital.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of capital

Noun

Combined with its co-founders' pledge to donate 80% of their equity and an employee donation matching program, roughly 20% of Anthropic's shares will be dedicated to public purposes, excluding any additional shares added later.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Future deployments Placing the geothermal plant on top of a natural hydrothermal vent was a one-time test for purely research and demonstration purposes, Redd said.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of purpose

Noun

Food meccas include Pier 57 (hit Nom Wah for legendary dim sum, or LoLo’s on the Water for the fish fry) and, of course, Chelsea Market (try Miznon’s pita cheeseburger and roasted cauliflower, and Ayada’s mango sticky rice).

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
Rubin’s face followed a skin-first technique beloved by the wider beauty mecca for the last few years.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 5 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 23 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of focus

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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