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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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

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as in compass

a guiding or motivating purpose or principle a wildlife conservation organization that seems to have lost its focus

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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

Griffith’s Mason Litke has an inkling that focusing on linebacker instead of running back has worked out well, both for him and the team. — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 Abrams focuses on 18th and 19th century headstones in remote yet picturesque graveyards in Vermont, and her viewers are drawn to her deep dives into the past that also touch on the dark nature of death and spirits. — Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Noun

But the main focus is Sanaa’s relationship with her late father and her guilt over how she may be connected to his crimes. — Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026 Three Spanish projects have been selected as part of Les Arcs Film Festival’s wider 2026 country focus devoted to Spain. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for focus

Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus

Verb

Such a division of responsibilities could allow Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to concentrate on demanding tasks such as area air defence, missile defence and long-range strike operations.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
After college, Lincoln earned a master’s degree in art history from the University of Delaware in 1972, concentrating on 20th century art and classical art.

— Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of concentrate

Noun

As the storm moved eastward into continental Europe, Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport warned travelers of cancellations and delays of flights to and from the busy aviation hub caused by strong winds that were battering the Netherlands.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
As emerging economies and coastal hubs face growing power shortfalls, modular floating plants offer a way to secure grid capacity while keeping the door open to future hydrogen adoption.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of hub

Noun

Alaska Airlines, Boise Airport’s main flight provider, will soon launch nonstop service from Idaho’s capital city to Santa Rosa, California.

— Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 28 Oct. 2026
The country's upper house of parliament voted last month to require UBS to hold 90% of Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital, or about $16 billion in extra shares, as collateral to support its foreign subsidiaries.

— Hugh Leask, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of capital

Noun

Its purpose is to help eliminate malignant cells that may remain after surgery, reducing the chance of another tumor taking hold.

— Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
The decor nods to her career without losing sight of the hotel’s purpose as a place to unwind after a day exploring Music City.

— Tracey Teo, AJC.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of purpose

Noun

But in the eight years since that location opened its doors, the brand has grown, and the mall has evolved from small art galleries into a vintage mecca.

— Max Berlinger, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of mecca

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foci

focus

focused

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Focus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/focus. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of focus

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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