Synonyms of nucleus

nucleus

noun

ˈnü-klē-əs 

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

• center
• hub
• capital
• mecca
• core
• base
• heart
• focus
• locus
• seat
• central
• axis
• nexus
• nerve center
• epicenter
• ground zero
• headquarters
• navel
• playground
• cynosure
• omphalos
• eye
• where it's at
• hive
• magnet
• hotbed
• kernel
• essence
• attraction
• hot spot
• pith
• playland
• thick
• soul
• nub
• happy hunting ground
• quintessence
• polestar
• deep
• lodestone

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

• core
• heart
• essence
• root
• kernel
• sum
• point
• meat
• bottom line
• sum and substance
• centerpiece
• pivot
• net
• pith
• crux
• nub
• gist
• subject
• the long and short
• keynote
• nubbin
• direction
• theme
• tenor
• substance
• bull's-eye
• meat and potatoes
• body
• content
• drift
• course
• hypothesis
• proposition
• thesis
• purport

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of nucleus

In the meantime, Perry has managed to assemble a young nucleus, giving Sacramento a number of building blocks for the future. — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026

The nucleus accumbens and dorsal striatum—the brain’s craving and reward circuitry—light up at the possibility and opportunity for retaliation. — Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Ichiro won’t be playing in Irvine — the Pioneer League limits players to no more than two years of professional experience — but Wakamatsu plans to tap into his network to ensure the team has an Asian manager or coach and a nucleus of Asian players. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026

Trajectories are shaped by the force of a micrometeoroid's expulsion from the comet's nucleus, along with the gentle push of radiation from the sun and the gravitational tug of the planets. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 21 July 2026