Thesaurus results for OMPHALOS

omphalos

noun

ˈäm(p)-fə-ˌläs

Definition of omphalos

as in center

a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest during the Vietnam War the university's campus effectively became the area's omphalos for antiwar activity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 omphalos While the rest of the world was in its accustomed turmoil, the Press, for which Ireland was the omphalos of the universe, took scant notice. — Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026 In front of me was a black ovoid stone, known as the omphalos, set on the spot in Greek mythology where two eagles loosed by Zeus crossed paths at the earth’s nexus. — Liz Alderman, New York Times, 9 July 2019 Zeus marked the spot with a stone called the omphalos (navel), to signify the location’s centrality. — National Geographic, 12 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for omphalos

Noun

The latest forecast predicts the center will pass roughly 115 to 150 miles west of Kauai, close enough that any additional eastward shifts in the track could bring stronger winds and greater impacts, particularly to Kauai, the hurricane center said.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
The center makes the protection calls, and often, zone runs cut vertically toward the center.

— Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of center

Noun

The bank expects power networks to account for roughly one-third of group profits by 2029, up from 23% in 2025, which would help cut capital costs.

— Hugh Leask, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
This influences how capital is allocated, which capabilities are funded, what risks are accepted, and whether growth translates into sustainable cash flow and returns.

— Kumar Rupesh, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of capital

Noun

The barbecue mecca in Caldwell County is home to around 18,000 people and roughly a half-hour drive from south Austin, traffic depending.

— Eleanor Dearman Updated August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of mecca

Noun

The collaboration aims to develop a robust local supply chain and position India as a strategic manufacturing and export hub for advanced rocket systems.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
The airport is one of the busiest in the country, seeing some 26 million passengers board flights out of the hub in 2025, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of hub

Noun

To create space for so much additional DNA, the nucleus enlarges.

— Carrie Arnold Contributing, Quanta Magazine, 2 Sep. 2026
The São Paolo neighborhood of Liberdade, often referred to as the city’s Japantown, has been the nucleus of the Japanese Brazilian community since then.

— Tomé Morrissy-Swan, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of nucleus

Noun

For tight-skinned oranges, like navel and blood oranges, slice off enough from the stem and bottom end to expose the flesh, then upend the fruit and cut away the peel and pith.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
This tilt toward Gloria causes the film to lose its way a bit, pulling focus from the more potentially vital mentor-disciple dynamic between Ed and the anxious, navel-gazing Meyers.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of navel

Noun

Even aside from the war games, chips seem to have become a locus of secrecy and international intrigue.

— Rakesh Kumar, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026
Casablanca is another clear reference point for an episode in which a café serves as a locus of intrigue for a resistance group fighting against oppressive invaders.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of locus

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“Omphalos.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/omphalos. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of omphalos

noun

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