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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Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Rice’s recent focus has been as the head of ceremonies and content for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games — but now Rice focuses on a more urgent task. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 Paredes obtained registration from the state to operate the business and serve up to six children, according to her attorneys with the Institute for Justice, a nonprofit law firm focused on government overreach. — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Oct. 2026

Noun

Though the Republican focus on Omar’s background dates back years, the search notably took place three weeks before the November midterms, in which Omar is seeking reelection. — Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 In accessories, there’s a major focus on the waist, through belts and cummerbunds, while beading and fringe continue to enliven the novelty bag category. — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for focus

Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus

Verb

The show’s creative team was able to concentrate on making the series itself rather than second-guessing every decision to appeal to the international market.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
Collisions between nanoscale twins and crystal boundaries form concentrated stress points, which sprout fresh structural defects.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 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

In 2027 the film festival also joins Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival in celebrating eight decades of creativity and bringing audiences together in the Scottish capital.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
As one of the principal gateways into the Saudi capital and a foundation stone of the entire Vision 2030 project, the Houthi attacks on Riyadh’s airport directly threaten the Kingdom’s strategy.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of focus

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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