navels

noun

plural of navel
as in centers
a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest a city that likes to regard itself as the nation's navel of art and culture

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 navels Why The Belly Button Isn’t Universal Not all mammals have navels. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026 This is not a condemnation; there are bad brains and there are good navels. — Sloane Crosley, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for navels
  1. centers
  2. capitals
  3. hubs
  4. meccas
  5. hearts
  6. foci
  7. bases
  8. nuclei
Noun
  • Since launching the Pink Pony Campaign in 2000, Ralph Lauren has championed the fight against cancer by funding cancer centers and world-class research facilities around the world.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The excavation centers on Mieza, an ancient Macedonian city in northern Greece, where archaeologists have been uncovering a sprawling complex known as the Royal Gymnasium.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of centers
Noun
  • The job included planning intelligence and sabotage missions from the Adriatic to the Black Sea and running spy networks across the entire region, from capitals like Prague, Bucharest, and Tirana to mountains in Greece and Yugoslavia.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
  • In Europe, multiethnic capitals are pilloried by the far right as demographic time bombs, ground zero for invasions of unwanted foreigners.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of capitals
Noun
  • For decades, this address was one of the city's defining social hubs, and Annie's has reclaimed that role.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
  • These districts can be established within a city, county or cooperative area to create economic development projects like industrial sites, research facilities, job-training centers and distribution hubs.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of hubs
Noun
  • Instead of meccas or meeting places for diehard fans, live sporting events try to position themselves as major cultural moments.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The fest is becoming a beacon for those who still pine for former jam meccas like Gathering of the Vibes, Wakarusa, Rothbury, and 10,000 Lakes.
    — Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2026
Definition of meccas
Noun
  • Brockman’s message received 40 hearts, five checkmarks, and three thank-you emojis.
    — Garrison Lovely, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Panels also featured decorations that included hearts, rainbows, sequins, a Star of David, a chef’s hat, a chorus line of dancers, teddy bears, and a panda.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of hearts
Noun
  • In 2019, the NFL entered into a multiyear deal with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, with the focuses of the partnership being live entertainment and amplifying social justice initiatives.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Improving infrastructure has been one of Duffy’s primary focuses since taking the helm.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of foci
Noun
  • The tall temples feature square bases and conical towers adorned with intricate stone carvings of gods and mythical animals, with the three largest structures dedicated to Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu.
    — Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Its armed forces have proved capable of continuing to damage American military bases despite coming under heavy bombardment.
    — Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of bases
Noun
  • Inside the tokamak, extreme heat and pressure force atomic nuclei together.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Even the constituents of atoms—the protons and neutrons that make up atomic nuclei—couldn’t immediately coalesce.
    — Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of nuclei

Browse Nearby Words

navel-gazing
navels
navies
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Navels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/navels. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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