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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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of focus
Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 11 July 2025
Ralph represents the new kind of leadership our city needs — principled, independent, and focused on results.
—Miami Herald, 11 July 2025
Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 July 2025
To address this gap, the authors advocate for a substantial increase in fruit and vegetable production, with a focus on nutrient-dense produce such as berries, leafy greens and carrots.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Verb
So that really is the appearance of AI Natalie [which is] her subconscious not having any other way to put out this grief or to confront these emotions despite Riri [trying] to shut that part of her brain off and focus on other [things].
—Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 11 July 2025
Ralph represents the new kind of leadership our city needs — principled, independent, and focused on results.
—Miami Herald, 11 July 2025
Noun
New operating models require new roles, new mindsets, and a steadfast focus on relationships and communication with teams and partners about the changes ahead.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 July 2025
To address this gap, the authors advocate for a substantial increase in fruit and vegetable production, with a focus on nutrient-dense produce such as berries, leafy greens and carrots.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus
Verb
-
Lime kilns concentrated in Santa Cruz County, and another site was found in El Dorado County.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
6 July 2025
-
As the conditioner that brought his homeland their first two Breeders’ Cup championships (2021 Filly and Mare Turf, Loves Only You 2021 Distaff Marche Lorraine), the Tokyo native will concentrate on bringing the best Forever Young to Del Mar on November 1.—
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
Dressmaker and activist Mary Dickerson (top row, center) inspires a character in HBO's The Gilded Age.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
8 July 2025
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Both Andretti drivers appeared to be OK after getting checked out at the infield care center.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
This clarity becomes your compass for navigating complexity and creating meaningful, lasting impact.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
To use her inner compass, instead of relying on Google Maps to navigate.—
JJ Rosen,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Future outlook: The development aims to create a mixed-use, mixed-income community by putting housing near employment hubs and public transportation.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
10 July 2025
-
Like in the United States, Australian campuses were once the hub of pro-Palestinian protests led by students who pitched tents demanding action to stop Israel’s assault on Gaza.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
They’re then added into the mascarpone mixture one spoonful at a time, while stirring gently in the same direction to achieve a consistent light and airy texture.—
Bryce Jones,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 July 2025
-
There are a huge number of signals from every direction that a player has to process first, even without the risk of being tackled.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
As Russian troops slowly clawed back most of Kursk, attacks on Sumy – and its regional capital, Sumy city – increased.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
11 July 2025
-
Ten of Liberia’s presidents were born in the U.S. Liberia’s capital, Monrovia, is named after James Monroe, the fifth U.S. president, who strongly supported the ACS.—
Oumou Fofana,
Essence,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
The well was bundled together with another for contracting purposes, and the cost to plug the two was more than $400,000.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
8 July 2025
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Question: My boyfriend and I bought as joint tenants a home in south Scottsdale for investment purposes.—
Christopher A. Combs,
AZCentral.com,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
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
-
By day, it’s known for its colorful murals and buzzing cafés, but by night, the district turns into a mecca for creative cocktails, late-night galleries and performances by world-class DJs.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Focus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/focus. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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