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
Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Asked in a recent interview by Radio France Internationale if the council had failed, France’s ambassador to Haiti, Antoine Michon, chose to focus on one of its core tasks.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
State investments have further amplified our focus on high-demand programs.
—Torey Alston, Sun Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for focus
Verb
Campbell wanted to focus on tomorrow.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Asked in a recent interview by Radio France Internationale if the council had failed, France’s ambassador to Haiti, Antoine Michon, chose to focus on one of its core tasks.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
The focus remains on how nuclear microreactors for mining or remote processing sites could keep operations running without relying on distant utilities for power.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
State investments have further amplified our focus on high-demand programs.
—Torey Alston, Sun Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for focus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus
Verb
-
This securitization expands presidential interpretive authority, concentrates discretion, and narrows space for dissent by framing disagreement as vulnerability.—
Alejandro Reyes,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Rather than concentrating on a single release, the company shared an Ecosystem that can manage everything from full-scale floor washing in residential and commercial settings to countertop wiping.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Perhaps, on extremely long timescales, those heavier elements will sink to the center of the core, producing an inert center that slows the rate of fusion even further.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Feb. 2026
-
With Sam Darnold under center, the Seahawks were third in points scored and eighth in yards gained.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That belief is my compass through uncertainty.—
W. Jeff Williams,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
As a nod to its visual inspiration, there’s even a floating compass at the top of the dash.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!—
Chris McKeown,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!—
Jenny Porter Tilley,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Maybe that school of thought will change if the line on the chart below continues to move in an upward direction.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The threat to these businesses came from an unexpected direction.—
Peyton Forte,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The agreement emerged from a meeting between senior Russian and American military officials in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
At least 12 people have been killed after an explosion at a Shiite Muslim mosque in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad on Friday, Punjab Police told CNN.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Nevertheless, laid low by cancer and the claim battle, Karen Powers continued on in the job that had provided her with a lifelong sense of meaning and purpose.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
-
SpaceX plans to use its Starship system for the task — the largest spacecraft and rocket system ever built, and the vehicle that Musk says is purpose-made for taking people to Mars.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Today, the Los Cabos area and neighboring East Cape have emerged a wellness mecca.—
Jen Murphy,
Outside,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Becoming a tourism mecca was years in the making.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Focus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/focus. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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