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. nuclei
  8. seats
Noun
  • Data centers The biggest policy divide of the night came on a question about data centers.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, in another corner of the AI economy, the world's largest technology companies have committed nearly $700 billion to build data centers in 2026 alone, on top of $380 billion the year before.
    — Nili Gilbert, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of centers
Noun
  • These may be restored heritage buildings in European capitals, villa collections overlooking crystalline waters, or—notably in 2025 and 2026—luxury lodges set in deserts, forests, and mountains.
    — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 23 July 2026
  • As protesters gathered each evening in Kyiv and other regional capitals, demanding both Fedorov's reinstatement and broader military reforms, the political pressure quickly mounted.
    — Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of capitals
Noun
  • TechFest facilitates internships and job placements, demonstrating HBCUs as vibrant innovation hubs.
    — Marybeth Gasman, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • The award is one of six the EDA announced Monday as part of a roughly $169 million investment in six tech hubs nationwide.
    — Alexa Newsom, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026
Definition of hubs
Noun
  • 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
  • With one day left to declare candidacy in the race for Los Angeles mayor, all eyes are on Rick Caruso, the billionaire developer behind outdoor shopping meccas like The Grove.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of meccas
Noun
  • Naturally, local hearts yearn for the days with which Keegan is associated.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Regardless of the era or trend, Kenan Thompson has remained a constant in millennials' hearts and '90s culture.
    — Dontaira Terrell, USA Today, 22 July 2026
Definition of hearts
Noun
  • Among the focuses will be communication, data, inflation, technology and the Fed's balance sheet.
    — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 26 June 2026
  • Beyond family and football, Kane’s two main focuses, golf is the only other hobby that really moves him.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 23 June 2026
Definition of foci
Noun
  • To search for the wave signal, this team took a different approach and used the LHC to smash together two lead nuclei to create jets of particles that were back-to-back, called a dijet event.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 17 July 2026
  • Unlike conventional power plants, fusion aims to generate electricity by fusing light atomic nuclei, producing large amounts of energy without carbon emissions during operation.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 July 2026
Definition of nuclei
Noun
  • Caleb Durbin’s resurgence Durbin’s solo homer into the Green Monster seats with two outs in the eighth inning of a tie game on Monday night sent Fenway into a frenzy.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • Standout picks include a cozy loveseat with ultra-thick cushions, a water-resistant bean bag chair with a matching ottoman, and a small-space-friendly bistro set with gently rocking seats.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2026
Definition of seats

Browse Nearby Words

navel-gazing
navels
navies
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Cite this Entry

“Navels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/navels. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on navels

Nglish: Translation of navels for Spanish Speakers

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