focus 1 of 2

Definition of focusnext
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

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
Public pressure focused on how the bike park is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 17 Sep. 2026 Passengers should take photos so drivers can focus on sudden stops in high-density viewing corridors. Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
Noun
That focus is understandable, since downtime is costly, damages brand reputation and results in poor customer experience. Rick Elliott, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026 The strength of Tennessee’s defense is its defensive line, and the clear focus will be stopping Saquon. Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for focus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus
Verb
  • Rather than filtering contaminants out and concentrating them into waste, this method uses ozone gas and naturally occurring microbes to break contaminants down instead of just isolating them.
    Piper Heath, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • For women, the hormonal fluctuations of perimenopause and menopause can add another layer of brain fog, difficulty concentrating and trouble recalling words or information.
    Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 16 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The latest forecast predicts the center will pass roughly 115 to 150 miles west of Kauai, close enough that any additional eastward shifts in the track could bring stronger winds and greater impacts, particularly to Kauai, the hurricane center said.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The center makes the protection calls, and often, zone runs cut vertically toward the center.
    Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Think vintage navy portholes, ship compasses, and aircraft fuselage.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2026
  • This hubbub somehow awakens the mysterious powers of the titular compass, transporting the twosome to ‘Golden City’ in China, modeled after the Forbidden City, where a storyline based on Chinese mythology is about to get going.
    Caspar Salmon, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The collaboration aims to develop a robust local supply chain and position India as a strategic manufacturing and export hub for advanced rocket systems.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The airport is one of the busiest in the country, seeing some 26 million passengers board flights out of the hub in 2025, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Our study takes only a tiny step – but still a step – in that direction, helping to nail down the mechanism of exotic superconductivity in graphene.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The Florida Department of Transportation website notes that at least one lane in each direction will remain open at all times.
    Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The financial bets are large enough for boards to wince at capital expenditure implications.
    Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Ukraine's State Emergency Service said Tuesday that Russian strikes on Kyiv had killed one person and wounded seven other people since the start of the day, with attacks carried out on the capital's gas stations.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • But more is not a purpose, and scale is not automatically success.
    Michelle De Almeida, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The language of exploitation and cultural extraction gave the battle a purpose that seemed to extend well beyond either rapper.
    Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The barbecue mecca in Caldwell County is home to around 18,000 people and roughly a half-hour drive from south Austin, traffic depending.
    Eleanor Dearman Updated August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The popular theatre was a cultural mecca that drew thousands to its operas, ballets and other public events, and hosted legendary greats including Maria Callas and Franco Zeffirelli.
    Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Focus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/focus. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster