1
as in center
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 core
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
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 nucleus
Because the Cowboys inherited the nucleus of what was a top-25 team last year.
—
Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Once that nucleus is stable, the processes are set and the culture is unshakable; the transition to a more remote or hybrid model should become much more viable.
—Vikram Joshi, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
This undated microscope image from USC via the NIH shows pancreatic cancer cells, nuclei in blue, growing as a sphere encased in membranes, red.
—CBS News, 31 May 2026
Fusion energy uses light elements, such as hydrogen, and extreme heat to make nuclei collide and fuse, producing a single, heavier atom and massive energy.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for nucleus
Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Once that nucleus is stable, the processes are set and the culture is unshakable; the transition to a more remote or hybrid model should become much more viable.
—Vikram Joshi, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
This undated microscope image from USC via the NIH shows pancreatic cancer cells, nuclei in blue, growing as a sphere encased in membranes, red.
—CBS News, 31 May 2026
Fusion energy uses light elements, such as hydrogen, and extreme heat to make nuclei collide and fuse, producing a single, heavier atom and massive energy.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for nucleus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nucleus
Noun
-
Vegas played much of the night without center William Karlsson, who was being checked out on the bench for an apparent upper-body injury.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
-
Philadelphia declared a heat health emergency for Thursday and Friday, activating cooling centers, home visits by field teams, outreach to people experiencing homelessness and other services.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
The company credited that pace to the core technology stack already powering its commercial aircraft.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
11 June 2026
-
The collection is produced in extremely limited quantities, spotlighting the uniqueness of each material while maintaining the exclusivity at the core of the collaboration.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!—
David Lyman,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
After the road trip, Washington, then 73, stepped aside from his managerial duties indefinitely before undergoing quadruple bypass heart surgery.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
The findings, the latest in a growing body of research about the vaccine’s benefits for heart health, suggest such benefits observed in earlier studies have persisted for years.—
Daniel Wu,
Washington Post,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
By the end of 2025, China had set up more than 2,100 government guidance funds with target capital of over 11 trillion yuan, according to official figures.—
Anniek Bao,Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
12 June 2026
-
Its proximity to the fascinating capital of Kunming is also appealing for travelers who don’t intend to go to Tibet and never plan on leaving the city.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
The instrumental break before the final chorus, with Nilles let loose on Neil Peart’s parts and Lifeson soloing like his Seventies self, was one of the many moments of uncanny resurrection on the tour so far — the essence of Rush, in full, despite the tragic absence of a key third of the band.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
14 June 2026
-
The hotel is the essence of quiet luxury, a welcome contrast to its flashier Laguna neighbors.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
This was true throughout the neighborhood, which established itself this month as a secondary mecca for Knicks fans.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
Connecticut has been a mecca for dance ever since Martha Graham created the American Dance Festival at Connecticut College in 1948.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
The 36-year-old entrepreneur from Stanford, Connecticut, moved to Mexico City last year to reconnect with the roots of his late grandparents.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
-
Jason Momoa, who was born in Hawaii, was photographed helping Lola arrange traditional colorful Hawaiian garlands, the leis, a tribute to her roots.—
Monica Coviello,
Vanity Fair,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nucleus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nucleus. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
