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
Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
Stein always recommends opening a window and wearing a mask when cleaning any area, wearing cleaning gloves, and staying alert and focused to avoid hurting yourself or others.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2025
Kayti Burt, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
But now a new movie has come along with a distinct focus.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Verb
Unlike recent meetings, attention was focused solely on the agenda and presentations at hand.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
Stein always recommends opening a window and wearing a mask when cleaning any area, wearing cleaning gloves, and staying alert and focused to avoid hurting yourself or others.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
The docu-series, which examines abuses perpetrated by four different religious cults, leads with a focus on Christian Gospel Mission—also known as Providence and as Jesus Morning Star, or JMS.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
But now a new movie has come along with a distinct focus.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus
Verb
-
To concentrate the flavor and remove some of the alcohol, pour your white wine into a small saucepan and bring it to a simmer.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Unless the members of the Supreme Court are held accountable, their decisions may continue to concentrate power in the executive branch, potentially leading to an imbalance in the system of governance.—
Steven Delco,
Hartford Courant,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
And the lingering aftermath of the fraudulent rehab center scam has stretched some groups to their limits.—
Arlyssa D. Becenti,
AZCentral.com,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Some 65% of today's data center power is fueling traditional enterprise workloads, according to BCG.—
Tomás O’Leary,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In addition to using your inner compass to sleuth out the bad apples, Uwazie encourages women to take stock of how a man shows up for you.—
Essence,
Essence,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Orienteering is a sport where athletes race across an unfamiliar terrain with the use of a map and a compass.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Compared to other metropolitan hubs, the city offers a lower overall cost in housing, insurance, healthcare, and taxes.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
15 Aug. 2025
-
The distressed assets of today hold the potential to become the thriving hubs of tomorrow; the time to revitalize is here.—
Dr. Dick Bridy,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
As Styles zooms past, a small boy walking the opposite direction waves and catches the Grammy winner’s attention.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
18 Aug. 2025
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By interacting with executive leaders in key parts of the organization, boards can help connect direction and strategy with actions and outcomes.—
Lara Abrash,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Federal troops are patrolling the National Mall and neighborhoods across Washington while President Donald Trump’s administration exerts extraordinary power over law enforcement in the nation’s capital.—
John Seewer,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
-
The 12th-century castle was commissioned by William the Conqueror, and more than 900 Norman artifacts have been loaned by the British Museum to create its first medieval gallery outside of the UK capital.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Louisville Parks and Recreation Public Information Supervisor Katey Cook said Phase I of the project, including placing new grass for all the holes, rebuilding tees, adding a dual purpose tee area for select holes and regrading the terrain, will be complete by this fall and playable by Spring 2026.—
Marina Johnson,
The Courier-Journal,
13 Aug. 2025
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The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Cincinnati is known as a Montessori mecca in large part because of Xavier's undergraduate program and lab school.—
Madeline Mitchell,
The Enquirer,
3 July 2025
-
Playing it by ear: How Nashville musicians protect their hearing Across the country, Nashville is known as a mecca for country music.—
Amber Roberson,
Nashville Tennessean,
4 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Focus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/focus. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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