Synonyms of core

core

noun

ˈkȯr 

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

• heart
• soul
• bone(s)
• mind
• gut
• bosom
• breast
• inner space
• inside
• blood
• belly
• quick
• conscience
• heartstrings

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

• center
• hub
• capital
• mecca
• focus
• base
• heart
• nucleus
• central
• seat
• locus
• nexus
• axis
• ground zero
• nerve center
• epicenter
• playground
• headquarters
• navel
• omphalos
• cynosure
• where it's at
• eye
• essence
• kernel
• hot spot
• hive
• attraction
• magnet
• hotbed
• pith
• nub
• thick
• deep
• soul
• happy hunting ground
• quintessence
• playland
• polestar
• lodestone

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

• heart
• essence
• root
• kernel
• point
• nucleus
• sum
• meat
• pivot
• crux
• centerpiece
• bottom line
• sum and substance
• gist
• nub
• net
• pith
• theme
• keynote
• subject
• the long and short
• tenor
• content
• direction
• course
• bull's-eye
• body
• substance
• nubbin
• meat and potatoes
• thesis
• drift
• hypothesis
• proposition
• purport

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

• body
• bulk
• weight
• majority
• essence
• staple
• main
• chief
• mass
• whole
• entirety
• bottom
• heart
• nature
• root
• burden
• center
• middle
• substance
• focus
• brunt
• generality
• kernel
• amount
• sum
• nucleus
• matter
• heft
• total
• soul
• subject
• meat
• totality
• aggregate
• marrow
• quantum
• hub
• theme
• topic
• stuff
• seat
• sum total
• text
• argument
• motif
• essentiality
• pitch
• quintessence
• point
• pith
• crux
• nut
• gist
• nub
• affair
• purport

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extension
• component
• element
• part
• section
• constituent
• ingredient
• segment
• accessory
• piece
• appendage
• adjunct
• offshoot
• division
• side
• quality
• feature
• aspect
• angle
• facet

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

• midst
• center
• middle
• interior
• midpoint
• inside

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• periphery
• perimeter

Example Sentences

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