nucleus

noun

ˈnü-klē-əs How to pronounce nucleus (audio)
Definition of nucleusnext
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

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 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 The large comet has a nucleus of 16 miles and orbits the sun every 133 years. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 21 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 These engines power quasars—active galactic nuclei that emit some of the brightest light astronomers can possibly see in the sky. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for nucleus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nucleus
  1. center
  2. core
  3. hub
  4. heart
  5. capital
  6. essence
  7. mecca
  8. root
Noun
  • Masterson, O’Hara, Rogers and Schmidt have all raised concerns about or opposed data-center incentives.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
  • Just over a year after getting a 30-day license suspension, a Sunny Isles Beach plastic surgery center got a permanent license revocation from the Florida Department of Health this month.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 July 2026
Definition of center
Noun
  • Two months later, the Warriors appear only slightly better simply because their main core has had time to heal this offseason.
    — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • But as much as Warriors owner Joe Lacob feels indebted to Curry, the Warriors have to face the reality that this core’s best days are long behind them now.
    — Nick Friedell, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of core
Noun
  • San Diego International Comic-Con, also known as Comic-Con, is known as the central hub for all things Fandom.
    — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • That rich history, cultivated over centuries of acting as a port and hub of cultural exchange, is visible throughout the city, much of which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
Definition of hub
Noun
  • If your body has been asking you in a few ways to slow down (like feeling a cough coming on, or a tiredness that won’t shake off), stop fighting against what your body or heart is trying to tell you.
    — Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Hürrem takes inspiration from the 16th‑century romance between Ottoman ruler Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent and his chief consort Roxelana, who became Hürrem Sultan upon winning his heart.
    — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of heart
Noun
  • Air defenses were activated in the Iranian capital, Tehran, and explosions were reported in several Iranian cities, according to state media.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • In today’s cultural economy, where archival fashion pieces, horology, and unique collections blur with investment strategy, the ability to maintain image and ownership while accessing capital quietly is increasingly prized for some.
    — Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of capital
Noun
  • That never crossed my mind before, but now in 2026, our reggaeton, our essence and our sound has become important in Mexico and even more so on a Latino level.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
  • But that all seems to funnel into these six tracks, mixing momentum and wisdom to arrive at the essence of the pedal steel—extreme highs, extreme lows, the expanse in between, out where life is lived.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026
Definition of essence
Noun
  • The popular theatre was a cultural mecca that drew thousands to its operas, ballets and other public events, and hosted legendary greats including Maria Callas and Franco Zeffirelli.
    — Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • The long-standing problem is that Skid Row is both a social service center and a mecca of drugs and other vices, with traps on every block.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of mecca
Noun
  • This can help address the root cause of behaviors such as spending excessive time in bed awake, maintaining irregular sleep schedules, and conditioned arousal such as worrying about sleep.
    — Joan M. Cook, Time, 31 July 2026
  • The Buffalo Rose Saloon (Golden) Located in the heart of downtown Golden, the buildings that house The Buffalo Rose events complex have roots that are as old as the city itself.
    — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 31 July 2026
Definition of root

Browse Nearby Words

nuclei
nucleus
nude
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Cite this Entry

“Nucleus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nucleus. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on nucleus

Nglish: Translation of nucleus for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nucleus

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