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
Did the Heat need to lose last year’s first round series by 200 points, instead of 122, for everyone with a voice in personnel to realize that this nucleus was going nowhere?
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
The returning nucleus and a coaching staff that remained relatively intact should put the Bulldogs in position to win several games (at least) in the postseason.
—Antonio Morales, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Hydrogen atoms are the simplest nuclei, with a single proton orbited by an electron, so that’s typically what physicists have used for their experiments to measure the proton’s charge radius.
—ArsTechnica, 14 Apr. 2026
The first step was to determine exactly how much energy is needed to push the thorium-229 nucleus into its excited state.
—Andrei Derevianko, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nucleus
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
The returning nucleus and a coaching staff that remained relatively intact should put the Bulldogs in position to win several games (at least) in the postseason.
—Antonio Morales, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Hydrogen atoms are the simplest nuclei, with a single proton orbited by an electron, so that’s typically what physicists have used for their experiments to measure the proton’s charge radius.
—ArsTechnica, 14 Apr. 2026
The first step was to determine exactly how much energy is needed to push the thorium-229 nucleus into its excited state.
—Andrei Derevianko, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nucleus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nucleus
Noun
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In sixth inning, Villa Park tied the score 2-2 on a two-out infield single by speedy center fielder Shea Gonzalez.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
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Iran has also conducted drone strikes that damaged data centers in the region that are owned by Amazon Web Services, which operates the world’s largest cloud platform—high-value targets with major financial and operational ramifications.—
Sue Halpern,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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At its core, the hospice benefit is simple.—
Tom Koutsoumpas,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
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Focus on core power Gaines advocates for building a strong core through any movement, even during ordinary day-to-day activities.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The city’s brand — a safe, efficient, business-friendly hub for capital, tourism, logistics, and talent — was suddenly under scrutiny from investors, multinational executives, and residents who had chosen to build their businesses and lives there.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
24 Apr. 2026
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The royal, 43, made the trip to highlight the hub's approach to electrification, innovation and sustainability.—
Helen Murphy,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Many people take cod liver oil to support the health of their bones and joints, heart, and eyes.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
21 Apr. 2026
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Chase, meanwhile, gives Melissa a winning mix of exasperation and heart, making her emotional journey feel earned even amid the absurdity.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Thanks to their Thursday-night maneuvering, the Niners now possess the extra draft capital necessary to package some picks and jump back up to grab another Top 50 prospect.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
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The Saudis wanted to attract Western business, and to have Riyadh supplant Abu Dhabi and Dubai as the Middle East’s economic capital.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Time was of the essence, but the attackers, too, had been up against the clock.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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How to extract the essence of a person from the clutter of days and years?—
Sara Wheeler,
Big Think,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Today, the family reveres New York City — and not just as a mecca for fashion.—
Randee Dawn,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
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Tullman’s new complex will, of course, hardly stand alone in a city that long has been a mecca for magic.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Punch drainage holes in the bottom to keep roots healthy, then hang them on a fence or mount them on a board for a compact, vertical herb garden.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
23 Apr. 2026
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Besides being more manageable logistically, this style calls back to Healy’s fine-dining roots — think of a chef curating an ever-changing tasting menu — and also just speaks to Healy’s own personal preference.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nucleus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nucleus. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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