as in to concentrate
to fix (as one's attention) steadily toward a central objective
try to focus your attention on the task at hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in center
a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest
in the 19th century Paris was the focus of the art world
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in compass
a guiding or motivating purpose or principle
a wildlife conservation organization that seems to have lost its focus
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of focus
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 23 July 2025
The show, called P.I. Moms, focused on Butler and a select few of his employees — including Antoon, Allen, Wiltz and Peters.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 23 July 2025
Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 22 July 2025
Conversations among the passengers and Field School people started to become the focus, the fishing a distraction, and people starting giving the bait buckets nervous looks.
—ArsTechnica, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Verb
Melania Trump's signature initiative during her first term as First Lady, Be Best, focused not on the arts but on young people.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 23 July 2025
The show, called P.I. Moms, focused on Butler and a select few of his employees — including Antoon, Allen, Wiltz and Peters.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 23 July 2025
Noun
Over time, Ozzy's two main focuses became music and family.
—Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 22 July 2025
Conversations among the passengers and Field School people started to become the focus, the fishing a distraction, and people starting giving the bait buckets nervous looks.
—ArsTechnica, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Jim Crow laws that enforced separation of the races in the South, including in Texas, led to a move to concentrate African Americans, and therefore amenities such as schools, into Central East Austin.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Ryan added that the effects of the hunger crisis are also now being seen among humanitarian workers who have been in Gaza for the past two years and now have little energy and are struggling to concentrate.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
28 July 2025
Noun
-
Some had been in the center for weeks, others for months.—
Brent McDonald,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
-
The Black Sabbath singer's coffin was driven along Broad Street in the city center.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
31 July 2025
Noun
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The watch also features an accelerometer, a barometer, a compass, a gyroscope, and a temperature sensor.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
17 July 2025
-
Smith Baker said one of the St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation’s guiding principles especially resonates with her: Community is a compass.—
Mars King,
Twin Cities,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
For many years, Puerto Rico served as a hub of pharmaceutical manufacturing for the United States.—
Thomas J. Bollyky,
Foreign Affairs,
22 July 2025
-
And true to that mission, the stall has become a community hub, a place for conversation and for people to reconnect with books and literature.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard closed at Loop 101 Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard in Scottsdale was scheduled to close in both directions at Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) from 9 p.m. July 25 to 5 a.m. July 28 for a widening project, according to ADOT.—
Olivia Rose,
AZCentral.com,
26 July 2025
-
But huge early bets in the wrong direction can doom your venture.—
Dileep Rao,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
The Consequential Consensus Whether prophetic or destined for technology's unfulfilled promises museum, the San Francisco Consensus is already redirecting capital flows and strategic priorities.—
Arafat Kabir,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
-
The city is already making cuts, such as by not filling open positions and by stopping capital projects that are not absolutely required, Laesch said.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
Legally, the Department of Defense can make military bases available to any federal, state or local law enforcement officials for law enforcement purposes, according to the National Immigration Law Center.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 July 2025
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As Wolf says, cannabis hospitality’s future belongs to those who serve purpose, not novelty — building a new kind of travel rooted in mindfulness, connection and place.—
Javier Hasse,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
Noun
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For the past few years, Lilly has made news by driving large-scale investments in the LEAP Innovation District, billed as a future manufacturing and tech mecca in Lebanon, Indiana.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
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As Almeyda makes her journey towards this elusive mecca, both the idea of Palmares and Almeyda’s journey toward it feel like hallucinatory visions: Vibrantly conjured, indeed mythic in intention and impact.—
Irenosen Okojie
July 11,
Literary Hub,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Focus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/focus. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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