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
Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
Stein always recommends opening a window and wearing a mask when cleaning any area, wearing cleaning gloves, and staying alert and focused to avoid hurting yourself or others.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2025
Kayti Burt, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
But now a new movie has come along with a distinct focus.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Verb
Unlike recent meetings, attention was focused solely on the agenda and presentations at hand.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
Stein always recommends opening a window and wearing a mask when cleaning any area, wearing cleaning gloves, and staying alert and focused to avoid hurting yourself or others.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
The docu-series, which examines abuses perpetrated by four different religious cults, leads with a focus on Christian Gospel Mission—also known as Providence and as Jesus Morning Star, or JMS.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
But now a new movie has come along with a distinct focus.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus
Verb
-
Unless the members of the Supreme Court are held accountable, their decisions may continue to concentrate power in the executive branch, potentially leading to an imbalance in the system of governance.—
Steven Delco,
Hartford Courant,
8 Aug. 2025
-
To concentrate the flavor and remove some of the alcohol, pour your white wine into a small saucepan and bring it to a simmer.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Animal characters have been at the center of his interest from the very start of his career.—
Blake Simons,
IndieWire,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Some 65% of today's data center power is fueling traditional enterprise workloads, according to BCG.—
Tomás O’Leary,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Orienteering is a sport where athletes race across an unfamiliar terrain with the use of a map and a compass.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Orienteering is an outdoor sport that requires athletes to navigate between checkpoints using maps and compasses.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The distressed assets of today hold the potential to become the thriving hubs of tomorrow; the time to revitalize is here.—
Dr. Dick Bridy,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Compared to other metropolitan hubs, the city offers a lower overall cost in housing, insurance, healthcare, and taxes.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
By engaging early in the regulatory process, businesses can influence the direction of policy and gain a better understanding of upcoming changes.—
Ted Kail,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
After beating Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins in a 1-on-1 drill to start Tuesday’s joint practice, Mitchell shouted in the direction of several media members who witnessed him make Wiggins look bad at the line of scrimmage.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Federal troops are patrolling the National Mall and neighborhoods across Washington while President Donald Trump’s administration exerts extraordinary power over law enforcement in the nation’s capital.—
John Seewer,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
-
The 12th-century castle was commissioned by William the Conqueror, and more than 900 Norman artifacts have been loaned by the British Museum to create its first medieval gallery outside of the UK capital.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
This information is for educational purposes and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, accounting, legal, tax, insurance, or investment advice.—
Heather L. Locus,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
It was once used as an anticonvulsant and sedative, but today is primarily used for cleaning, manufacturing and agricultural purposes, according to the National Institutes of Health.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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 19 Aug. 2025.
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