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2
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 green cabbage and onion (and maybe a carrot nub, for a bit of color) should be very finely grated or even finely ground.
—
Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 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
Eventually, just like a real pencil, the sculpture will be just a nub with an eraser—and both the Higgins family and Ingvoldstad are okay with that.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 June 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
Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 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
Eventually, just like a real pencil, the sculpture will be just a nub with an eraser—and both the Higgins family and Ingvoldstad are okay with that.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 June 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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Cut hard cheeses in cubes or bite-size chunks, while leave softer cheeses and logs whole.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Oct. 2025
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Medicare premiums are expected to rise by a near record dollar amount next year and eat a chunk of the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) older Americans may receive.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Although his own roots are Baptist, the North Little Rock native is no stranger to the Methodist hymnal.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Oct. 2025
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That legacy hasn’t faded, but the region feels freshly alive these days as chefs, artists, and creative entrepreneurs put down roots.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Whichever the case, the researchers are now curious to discover more characteristics of the intriguing object, including determining whether dark matter can exist in small clumps without stars.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
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The question has always been, how small can clumps of cold dark matter become?—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But Guerrero remains the core piece.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Two sources told Fortune that Amazon’s human resources division—known internally as PXT or the People eXperience Technology team—will be hard hit, but that other areas of Amazon’s core consumer business are also likely to be affected.—
Jason Del Rey,
Fortune,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And Prince William would have been forgiven for blushing when Kate pointedly replied that the poster had in fact shown the TV hunk from a famous Levi advert.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
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Let’s Bring Back Fondue Night When fondue pots were at the height of their popularity in the 1970s, everyone would gather around the table in their house clogs and bell bottoms with skewers ready to dip into melty cheese, smooth chocolate, and even piping-hot oil (for cooking small hunks of meat).—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The essence of impartial justice is treating like conduct alike—not identifying the target and then finding the crime.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
12 Oct. 2025
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The essence of Bessent’s bet is that, with US financial muscle behind him, Milei can win them.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Later that night, a man handed the young woman a wad of cash.—
Avery Schmitz,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
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Everyone gathered around to help flip the meat, stuffing wads of lettuce wraps into their cheeks and washing it down with soju.—
Irene Yoo
September 26,
Literary Hub,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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There’s a common theme with Steen, Arbour and Jackman — all three players were heart-and-soul players with the Blues.—
Jeremy Rutherford,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Our hearts are extra full this week 🥰 #DedicationNight featuring our stars’ special guests is TONIGHT - 8/7c on ABC and Disney+.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nub. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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