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
Zach Berman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Martin Agran, a University of Wyoming professor who focuses on special education, said the research shows that there’s an overuse of restraint and seclusion.
—IndyStar, 8 Sep. 2025
Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
That’s probably going to be my main focus going into camp, the details, not just with the puck but without the puck and being responsible in that way.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Verb
Some perspective is needed when focusing solely on Brown’s touches.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Martin Agran, a University of Wyoming professor who focuses on special education, said the research shows that there’s an overuse of restraint and seclusion.
—IndyStar, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
Capital markets are rewarding focus over scale.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
That’s probably going to be my main focus going into camp, the details, not just with the puck but without the puck and being responsible in that way.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus
Verb
-
On taking the job last year, Enzo Maresca knew that his say in transfers at Stamford Bridge would be limited and that his main task was to concentrate on coaching the team.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Although many began paying, a substantial portion did not, with 25% of student loan holders and over 50% of the total student loan debt concentrated within the 24-38 age group.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Discard the tired-looking center and separate clumps from the outer edges by hand or use a sharp knife or pruning saw.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Public and private investors would develop the Gaza Strip into a center of tech innovation and tourism, with high-rises.—
Michele Chabin,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Fast-forward 2,000 years, and the cultural compass has completely flipped.—
Chris Schembra,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
-
This is the compass that gives you direction in life.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But the attacker re-aggravated his hamstring at the club’s training hub in Rush Green.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Picton Prince Edward County’s largest town, Picton, serves as a central hub for shops, galleries, and accommodations, including The Royal hotel and Slickers County Ice Cream.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Mother Monster took home the artist of the year award, best collaboration, best direction, and best art direction at the MTV Video Music Awards, which took place at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Once the band reaches your chest, slowly reverse the direction, keeping your elbows straight.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Lisa, 28, wore a black maxi dress with cutouts, and paired the look with an extremely rare Hermès Birkin while in South Korea's capital city.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
-
At the club’s training ground in the Valdebebas district of the Spanish capital, both coaching staff and team-mates value the fact Ceballos can bring a style of play that is not so characteristic of the club’s other midfielders, more based on linking play.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
It hasn’t been approved by the FDA for that purpose and hasn’t been shown to be effective.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
-
This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Test yourself on melon meccas and revolutionary roots in this week's American Culture Quiz.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Over the years, Hvar has earned a reputation as a mecca for club-goers—a place for people to come dance until sunrise and then ride the ferry back to the mainland, still drunk and reeling from the night before.—
Ivana Rihter,
Vogue,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Focus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/focus. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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