as in center
a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest
a city that likes to regard itself as the nation's navel of art and culture
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Recent Examples of navel
Today’s Wordle Etymology The word navel comes from Old English nafela, which traces back to Proto-Germanic nabōlą.
—
Erik Kain, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
The root reflects the concept of a central point or hub, emphasizing the navel's role as a bodily center.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Separately, there’s a cut-out section directly by Taylor’s navel.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 3 Mar. 2025
It is caused by certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus, a relatively common bacterium that frequently inhabits the eyes, ears, navel, and groin.
—William Truswell, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for navel
Erik Kain, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
The root reflects the concept of a central point or hub, emphasizing the navel's role as a bodily center.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Separately, there’s a cut-out section directly by Taylor’s navel.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 3 Mar. 2025
It is caused by certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus, a relatively common bacterium that frequently inhabits the eyes, ears, navel, and groin.
—William Truswell, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for navel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for navel
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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The pilot eventually managed to land the airplane outside Belize City after being forced to circle the airspace between northern Belize and the capital.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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On the other side of the Nile, which runs through the capital, Babakir Khalid, 2 months old, gasped for breath.—
Declan Walsh,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Charlotte City Council approved an $89 million plan in 2023 to build a new underground bus hub at the site of the current transit center.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Apr. 2025
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The Cerrado is governed by much laxer environmental laws than the Amazon, and has become a major hub for soybean production.—
Sarah Sax,
The Atlantic,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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There’s no shortage of wealth moving to Frankfurt, either, with the German city capitalizing on London’s tarnished reputation as a money-making mecca since Brexit.—
Zoë Dare Hall,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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The Neales described the Smoke Freaks headquarters as a mecca for barbecuing, grilling and smoking with 24 different pieces of equipment, from a big Texas offset smoker to 55-gallon metal drums.—
Anna Ortiz,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Yellows 1, 2, 3 and 4: Were all banned in 1959 after they were potentially linked to lesions and heart damage.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
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This presents the reader, especially one steeped in mystery fiction, with a familiar irony: Skilled detectives typically win readers’ hearts because of their flaws, not despite them.—
Talya Zax,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Kansas City Star (660) 254-1083 Kendrick Calfee covers breaking news for The Kansas City Star with a focus on public safety.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
17 Apr. 2025
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Moving the focus to North America, Someone Lives Here follows Toronto carpenter Khaleel Seivwright, who builds tiny shelters for unhoused people during the pandemic and faces pushback from city officials.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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At least 29 candidates sought to fill the vacant seat.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2025
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Mills is one of the most notable Democrats in the state who could challenge Collins for her swing Senate seat.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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While Trump retains strong support from his base, his approval among swing voters has eroded.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
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Explosions reported near military base in Kirzhachsky district, Vladimir region — local media A road leading from Moscow to Kirzhach has reportedly been blocked.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Navel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/navel. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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