core

noun

ˈkȯr How to pronounce core (audio)
Definition of corenext
1
as in heart
the seat of one's deepest thoughts and emotions in my very core I knew that an injustice was being committed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in center
a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest the capitol building is the core of the political life of the state

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in essence
the central part or aspect of something under consideration at last, we come to the core of the issue that has been dividing us

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in body
the main or greater part of something as distinguished from its subordinate parts a starfish can even survive the division of its core into two parts; both halves then regenerate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in midst
an area or point that is an equal distance from all points along an edge or outer surface the mountain rises from ground that is almost precisely at the island's core

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 core As to whether sustainability becomes a core principle rather than an afterthought, that remains to be seen. — David Zamora, Space.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Speaking your mind candidly is essential right now—feeling seen and respected is core to your sense of self-worth. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 Alaska’s core constituency is composed of Natives, fishermen, rural legislators, and unions, with some chamber-of-commerce types mixed in. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026 Now, Rupert Murdoch views Fox as a core part of his legacy, as last year’s family trust battle underscores, with his son Lachlan ultimately securing control of the empire after battling (and ultimately settling with) his siblings. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for core
Recent Examples of Synonyms for core
  1. heart
  2. center
  3. essence
  4. body
  5. midst
  6. soul
  7. hub
  8. root
Noun
  • The sharpest character study lies in the potential recipient of Simon’s heart, a woman who has all but given up on having a future but then finds herself at the top of a transplant list, suddenly lucky enough to get a new life.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Ashley Padilla Padilla, who captured hearts as a star cast member of SNL this past year, made the room laugh with a toast full of jokes and references to her most notable sketches.
    — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of heart
Noun
  • Ben’s view Hoffman, who sometimes works from a small swivel chair in her children’s room, has followed a path from social video into the center of the swirling news cycles of true crime and celebrity.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • After police cordoned off an area in the city center, the situation calmed down by early Sunday morning.
    — Angela Charlton, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of center
Noun
  • First, the essence of each brand tends to manifest in aesthetics and interaction models.
    — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Rather than rehashing traditional compositions, the group recognizes these sorely untapped sounds as living and malleable, creating new interpretations that bring them to our times without losing an ounce of their essence and verve.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of essence
Noun
  • Investigators found Amy in a separate area with a ligature around her neck and burns covering up to 30% of her body, according to court documents.
    — Leigh Egan, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Several different types of peptides are naturally found in the body, like insulin and endorphins.
    — Renée Onque, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of body
Noun
  • Lunch is not a social meal at the hotel, as patients are often in the midst of treatments, many of which can be exhausting.
    — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
  • In the midst of the carnage, Herbst seemed to have hit the wall and lost his ability to hit the brakes.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of midst
Noun
  • Against the backdrop of seemingly endless violence, artists banded together and dabbled in soul, disco, and jazz as a salve to their suffering.
    — Shy Clara Thompson, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
  • After Esther’s soul-searching decision to separate, the third season of the show, now streaming, tracks the fallout of their life apart.
    — Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of soul
Noun
  • Tens of thousands of people across more than 30 cities took to the streets, including in the capital Berlin and financial hub Frankfurt, in protests organized by the campaign group Gen Z regelt (Gen Z takes charge).
    — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 1 Nov. 2026
  • To tout their readiness for the midterms, Fulton County officials invited media to the same sprawling elections hub where FBI agents seized more than 650 boxes of ballots and other 2020 election records nine months ago.
    — Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of hub
Noun
  • The lessons from Arsenal’s root-and-branch rebuild that culminated in them lifting the Premier League trophy in May is three-fold.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The operators were also ordered to take several measures to address the odors, determine the root cause of the leachate leaks and conduct additional inspections to prevent or mitigate the gases behind the odors.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of root

Browse Nearby Words

cordwoods
core
core cities
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Cite this Entry

“Core.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/core. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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