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
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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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of focus
Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Apr. 2025
The focus is on af Klimt’s engagement with the natural world and exploration of spirituality in nature, juxtaposing detailed renderings of the Swedish flora that surrounded her with enigmatic abstract diagrams.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2025
Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Like photography, science requires examining an ecosystem through different lenses, focusing on different details, particularly as conditions shift.
—Avery Schuyler Nunn, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Noun
She was appointed a United Nations Messenger for Peace in 2008, with a focus on the prevention of HIV and the elimination of violence against women.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Apr. 2025
The focus is on af Klimt’s engagement with the natural world and exploration of spirituality in nature, juxtaposing detailed renderings of the Swedish flora that surrounded her with enigmatic abstract diagrams.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
The musical and film focus on the unlikely friendship found between the two witches at the center of L. Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz – Elphaba Thropp, who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, and Galinda Upland, who becomes Glinda the Good.
—Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Like photography, science requires examining an ecosystem through different lenses, focusing on different details, particularly as conditions shift.
—Avery Schuyler Nunn, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus
Noun
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The 2025 season maybe a redshirt season in the pros for him, but there is intriguing upside as a long-term option at center.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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In the 1940s and '50s, the Hill Country area was known as an international wool and mohair center, and Comfort’s own Adolf Stieler was called the Angora Goat King of the World.—
Amanda Ogle,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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When the external map is confusing, your internal compass becomes your most reliable guide.—
Kathy Miller Perkins,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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The works showcased come from the Kartell archive and include black and white shots that depict Kartell classic items such as the gold compass, or the little chair by Marco Zanuso and Richard Sapper.—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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That’s because the best days in the market are often concentrated around the worst days in the market.—
Rick Unser,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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System combinations open the door to reimagining how care is delivered at every level— from expanding primary care access in rural communities to extending the reach of specialty services typically concentrated in urban areas.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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These include plans for a Trump tower in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh and major hub Jeddah, real estate projects in Oman and further expansion in Abu Dhabi.—
Federico Maccioni,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
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Earlier this month, Xi visited Southeast Asia for the second time in less than two years, to strengthen ties with Vietnam and other key neighbors that have become transshipment hubs for Chinese goods.—
Zongyuan Zoe Liu,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
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When the bacterial balance changes in an unhelpful direction, the result could be digestive problems.—
Amber J. Tresca,
Verywell Health,
2 May 2025
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No shortage of leaders have moved in the opposite direction—not least the current occupant in the Kremlin, under whom Russia has transitioned from flawed democracy to unfettered dictatorship.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
2 May 2025
Noun
-
The company also raised guidance on its capital expenditures for the year, expecting to spend between $64 billion to $72 billion.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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So Cordero set out to make a video game about it from the perspective of a child in Quito, Ecuador’s mountainous capital.—
Lewis Gordon,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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And then there's still a question after that, of meaning and purpose.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
27 Apr. 2025
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The two sides talked football on the visit, but the other purpose of bringing him to the Virginia Mason Athletic Center was to learn about the young man under the helmet.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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From a pastel mecca of makeup, to decadent chocolate dim sum-and even where to score coveted Sonny Angels-these are the spots sure to please the hard-to-shop-for tween in your life.—
Bea McMonagle,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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The big picture: The nonprofit Cobbs Creek Foundation is in the midst of a massive $175 million restoration project that aims to transform the course into a golfing mecca for the region.—
Mike D'Onofrio,
Axios,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Focus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/focus. Accessed 8 May. 2025.
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