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
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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
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Recent Examples of nucleus
The ideal atoms are ones that have unpaired electrons swarming around the nucleus in what are known as 3d orbitals.
—
Glenn Zorpette, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Apr. 2026
When Villa decided to stick with the nucleus of their squad last summer — signalled by new contracts for many of Emery’s long-standing players — the motive was to bring another level of success this season.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Solar radiation causes material locked inside the comet's solid nucleus to escape through a process called sublimation, releasing dust and gas into space.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Core players giving their squad a high baseline is always vital in the playoffs, and the Ducks finally have some chance at hanging with other teams’ nuclei thanks to Carlsson and Gauthier’s ongoing emergence.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nucleus
Glenn Zorpette, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Apr. 2026
When Villa decided to stick with the nucleus of their squad last summer — signalled by new contracts for many of Emery’s long-standing players — the motive was to bring another level of success this season.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Solar radiation causes material locked inside the comet's solid nucleus to escape through a process called sublimation, releasing dust and gas into space.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Core players giving their squad a high baseline is always vital in the playoffs, and the Ducks finally have some chance at hanging with other teams’ nuclei thanks to Carlsson and Gauthier’s ongoing emergence.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nucleus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nucleus
Noun
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But Patrick Mahomes, who tore his ACL last December, is ahead of schedule and will likely be under center when these two teams square off in early November.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
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The tension spilled into election issues, including accusations that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco seized ballots in a voter‑fraud investigation, now at the center of a legal fight with the state attorney general.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Noun
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Social engagement, community involvement, and faith in the structures that organize daily life are among the study’s core predictors of whether an older adult feels their life has meaning—and all of them depend, at least in part, on trust.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
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Creating pieces that make women feel comfortable and confident through every stage of motherhood has always been at the core of Bumpsuit.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
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Although based in Hong Kong—a city better known as a global trading hub than a center for jewelry artistry—Forms has positioned itself as a creative force in contemporary high jewelry.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
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Eating snacks rich in magnesium, potassium, calcium, and fiber can help lower blood pressure and support heart health.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
11 May 2026
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Small habits and lifestyle changes can also benefit your blood pressure and overall heart health.—
Jennifer Berger,
Verywell Health,
11 May 2026
Noun
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At the same time, Anthropic argued that the US still holds several major advantages, including stronger chip ecosystems, leading AI companies, and broader access to capital for large-scale AI infrastructure.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
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Legislation in Louisiana seeks to address the Supreme Court ruling by scrapping a district that snakes over 200 miles (321 kilometers) northwest from the capital, Baton Rouge, to Shreveport, creating a voting bloc with a majority of Black residents.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
Noun
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The aye-aye, in essence, became a woodpecker by primate standards.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
-
The Mario series was maturing alongside the greater video-game landscape, but its childlike essence remained—not through docile cuteness, but through a more grandiose fusion of wonder, whimsy, and wistfulness.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
9 May 2026
Noun
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Once regarded as a mecca for luxury shopping, drawing visitors from across Chicagoland to experience a level of polish few suburban malls could hope to surpass, Northbrook Court today is something akin to a retail wasteland.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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Houston is a mecca for high-calorie delicious meals.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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What is striking about this moment is that America is not merely acknowledging the Jewish roots of some of its values historically, but openly turning again to a distinctly Jewish practice as a possible source of wisdom for the present.—
Ari Berman,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
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Many stayed, putting down roots that grew into multigenerational farming families who continue to shape the region’s dynamic food scene.—
Vivian Chung,
Travel + Leisure,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nucleus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nucleus. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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