variants
also nucleuses
1
as in centers
a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest
a college campus that was a nucleus of opposition to the war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in hearts
the central part or aspect of something under consideration
the nucleus of the movement's methodology has always been passive resistance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nuclei
This is the faint thermal afterglow from some 380,000 years after the big bang that was unleashed when the hot, foglike plasma that filled the early universe cooled and cleared as primordial atomic nuclei bonded with free electrons.
—
Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026
In theory, beryllium-8 normally decays into two helium-4 nuclei.
—Big Think, 19 Mar. 2026
Each target is also accompanied by a beautiful image captured by talented astrophotographers who spent hours collecting and processing their ancient light to reveal spectacular detail in their sweeping spiral arms and active nuclei.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2026
With less pollution, there are fewer nuclei on which water droplets aggregate to form clouds—and therefore fewer clouds, both over land and the ocean downwind, researchers hypothesize.
—Lauren Sommer, NPR, 12 Mar. 2026
Its apparently smooth screen quickly dissolves into a jiggling lattice of molecules, which in turn resolve into clouds of electrons buzzing around atomic nuclei.
—Quanta Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026
At that time, the universe was hot enough for quarks and gluons to move freely rather than being confined inside atomic nuclei.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
In its earliest days, the Universe was a hot, dense soup of subatomic particles, including hydrogen and helium nuclei, aka baryons.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 19 Mar. 2025
While pulling matter in, some active galactic nuclei (AGN) release ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can reach nearby planets similarly to how the sun's radiation reaches Earth.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026
In theory, beryllium-8 normally decays into two helium-4 nuclei.
—Big Think, 19 Mar. 2026
Each target is also accompanied by a beautiful image captured by talented astrophotographers who spent hours collecting and processing their ancient light to reveal spectacular detail in their sweeping spiral arms and active nuclei.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2026
With less pollution, there are fewer nuclei on which water droplets aggregate to form clouds—and therefore fewer clouds, both over land and the ocean downwind, researchers hypothesize.
—Lauren Sommer, NPR, 12 Mar. 2026
Its apparently smooth screen quickly dissolves into a jiggling lattice of molecules, which in turn resolve into clouds of electrons buzzing around atomic nuclei.
—Quanta Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026
At that time, the universe was hot enough for quarks and gluons to move freely rather than being confined inside atomic nuclei.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
In its earliest days, the Universe was a hot, dense soup of subatomic particles, including hydrogen and helium nuclei, aka baryons.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 19 Mar. 2025
While pulling matter in, some active galactic nuclei (AGN) release ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can reach nearby planets similarly to how the sun's radiation reaches Earth.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nuclei
Noun
-
Iran also is targeting data centers with both cyber and conventional weapons, showing how important the centers have become to the economy, communications and military information security.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Iran has wreaked havoc on military bases, tourist centers and data centers used by America’s largest tech giants with swarms of low-cost Shahed drones that cost between $20,000 and $50,000, according to public estimates.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Previously, an English bull terrier Border collie mix was melting hearts on social media.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
For all the success Duke has had through the years, the Blue Devils have now had hearts broken by UConn three straight times in the Big Dance.—
Noah Trister,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Flights, a foreign city, and a flat in one of the world’s most expensive capitals.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
-
There is a sense of frustration, perhaps even despair in Springfield and other state capitals because the CFTC so far has shown no sign of a willingness to share regulatory authority, or even exercise its own power in meaningful ways.—
David Greising,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In the first teeny fraction of a second after that expansion started, the densities were far higher than in the cores of stars, higher than in neutron stars—actually, very close to what’s needed to create a black hole!—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The company uses primarily Colorado trees to make the wooden cores of its gear in an effort to make the production process more sustainable while also making a product that is long-lasting.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For Intelligence, the new focuses are real-time device telemetry, with Intel Device IQ (more about that below) able to detect issues and trigger local AI for remediation.—
John Burek,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
-
One of the main focuses of competition the team’s spring training could have essentially been a moot point.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Standing knee-deep in the lo‘i, covered in mud, gently pressing roots into the earth, anchored me in a new way.—
Wassan Al-Khudhairi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
-
These five artists have combined their Indigenous roots with revolutionary artistic techniques to preserve their cultures in the face of adversity.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Instead of major hubs like New York or Los Angeles topping the list, smaller and mid-sized cities dominated the rankings.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Sweden’s migration minister has said the conservative ruling coalition approves setting up hubs outside Europe, especially for Afghan and Syrian asylum-seekers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In addition to the bacon and sausage, this queso is packed with filling black beans, corn kernels, scallions, cheese, jalapeños, and our favorite, Rotel tomatoes.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Additionally, pollination may occur during extreme summer heat, reducing kernels on your cobs.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nuclei.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nuclei. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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