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2
as in root
the central part or aspect of something under consideration
the nub of the argument is that the intelligence agencies failed the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nub
Best Nylabone chew toys for puppies This three-pack includes one softer starter bone with nubs that are great for teething, one slightly tougher bone to move onto and one edible bone.
—
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
Legs were wound down to nubs and heads inflated to egregious proportions.
—Andrew Norman Wilson, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
The rendering showed how the 150- and 200-foot heights proposed in the Gillon plan essentially made the Plaza’s iconic Seville Tower look like a pencil nub, in comparison.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 21 Nov. 2025
Heat a skillet or pan over medium heat and add a nub of butter.
—CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nub
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
Legs were wound down to nubs and heads inflated to egregious proportions.
—Andrew Norman Wilson, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
The rendering showed how the 150- and 200-foot heights proposed in the Gillon plan essentially made the Plaza’s iconic Seville Tower look like a pencil nub, in comparison.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 21 Nov. 2025
Heat a skillet or pan over medium heat and add a nub of butter.
—CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nub
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nub
Noun
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In the Art Institute drawing, a woman savors a chunk of carrot cake while lounging topless amid twenty-one other figures performing semi-aerobic choreography across the wall.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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This being Florida, a chunk of the crowd apparently took that as a cue to launch into a patriotic chant.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Maintain an even supply of moisture to reduce stress on the plant, and water at the roots with a drip hose instead of overhead watering to avoid spreading disease.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
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According to legend, the pithiviers has its roots in the first century, when Gauls combined local flour with almonds brought by Roman traders.—
Jen Rose Smith,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Noun
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The more popular Australian and New Zealand tree ferns, with their hairy trunks, get tired looking after a while, even while the giant chain fern expands radially into a huge clump with leaves up to 5 feet tall or taller.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
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Mow Only When Grass Is Dry Wet grass clippings cling to mower blades and fall in clumps on the surface of the turf.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 May 2026
Noun
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And his age fits perfectly with the Sabres’ core.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
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At its core, KYA focuses on making sure there’s a verified bond between an AI agent and a real human user.—
Andrew Sever,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
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Your favorite hockey hunk is a reader, people.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
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Navel-gazing cinema about the creative process isn’t usually my bag, but Almodóvar doesn’t take his own misery that seriously, even inserting a manic pixie dream hunk, a male stripper-slash-firefighter played by Patrick Criado, for a little bump and grind.—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
Noun
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If Chartreuse is tasting the essence of the forest from Gaia’s own breast, then Fernet is more like shaking hands with the devil.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
30 May 2026
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The last album began in essence as an experiment, to see if Dogstar had another chapter in them.—
Steve Appleford,
SPIN,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Tucker’s rapid-fire delivery is punctuated with sound effects, music cues, and the use of a variety of props dangling from his person at all times (including handcuffs, a wad of cash, and two guns).—
Malina Saval,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
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Not as punishment, but to better know our playing grounds and appreciate the big and small things—like freeing wads of vegetation from an undercarriage—that turn a field into a stage.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Noun
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For families The hotel has a kids club with supervised activities so that parents can dine, have spa treatments or shop to their hearts’ content.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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Our hearts go out to Joe's family, friends and the generations of neighbors who loved him.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nub.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nub. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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