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as in root
the central part or aspect of something under consideration
the nub of the argument is that the intelligence agencies failed the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nub
The textured nubs massage the gums if lightly chewed.
—
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 3 Sep. 2025
Unlike the open-ended hook attachment of the Flex system, pictured below, the Phantom system secures with a closed hole that slides over the accompanying nub inside the multitool chassis.
—New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025
If not for the rhythmic motion of the stylus’s nub against the touch screen, he could have been mistaken for someone meditating.
—Matt Alt, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
The grisly damage included fingers on his right hand that had been reduced to nubs.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nub
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 3 Sep. 2025
Unlike the open-ended hook attachment of the Flex system, pictured below, the Phantom system secures with a closed hole that slides over the accompanying nub inside the multitool chassis.
—New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025
If not for the rhythmic motion of the stylus’s nub against the touch screen, he could have been mistaken for someone meditating.
—Matt Alt, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
The grisly damage included fingers on his right hand that had been reduced to nubs.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nub
Noun
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Tiny chunks of space debris are believed to have struck the return vehicle of a Chinese crew of astronauts who were due to return to Earth following a mission at the nation's Tiangong space station.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
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Before the night was out, Germans began chipping away at the barrier, carrying off chunks of one of the symbols of the diminishing Iron Curtain.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The roots anchor in the soil, providing a firm foundation for stems, branches, and leaves.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Nov. 2025
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Mulch provides insulation from extreme temperatures (cold and hot) by protecting the root system.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Rake It Flat After clearing out the weeds and plant debris from your beds, use a rake to smooth the soil and break up any clumps of dirt.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Nov. 2025
-
People with Alzheimer’s tend to have clumps of proteins called amyloid plaques that accumulate around the brain cells.—
Carrie Madormo,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The victories are seen by many analysts and political figures as a signal that Democrats have regained momentum after losses in the 2024 election cycle—while some Republican voices warn of growing disconnection from core voters.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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The conflict could also arise over other core values, such as how to raise kids or what activities to prioritize in the relationship.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In November 2024, for instance, the International Space Station found itself in the way of a hunk of space junk.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
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For starters, even at 4 mm by 4 mm, the Utah array would be too big and clumsy a hunk of hardware for Science to implant in the eye or Synchron to thread through a vein.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In this poetry collection, Vilariño strips poetry to its essence—distilling love, loss, and the inexorable passage of time into spare yet searing verses.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Stripped to their symbolic essence, the erotics of Frankenstein are about the body as meat, electrified by carnal pleasure and unencumbered by the soul.—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Hanging ornaments with care can be one of the highlights of the holiday season, but untangling wads of string lights is far less enjoyable.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
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Later that night, a man handed the young woman a wad of cash.—
Avery Schmitz,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Still, more robust research was needed to declare that the portfolio diet leads to heart-health benefits for everyone, including healthy individuals.—
Renée Onque,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
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Gizmo’s incredible adoption story has certainly melted hearts online after Neveux documented her journey on TikTok (@saviiirose).—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nub. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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