as in center
a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest
during the Vietnam War the university's campus effectively became the area's omphalos for antiwar activity
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Recent Examples of omphalos
In front of me was a black ovoid stone, known as the omphalos, set on the spot in Greek mythology where two eagles loosed by Zeus crossed paths at the earth’s nexus.
—
Liz Alderman, New York Times, 9 July 2019
While the temples have crumbled, seeing the omphalos gave me goose bumps, and left me awe-struck over Delphi’s sublime place in history.
—Liz Alderman, New York Times, 9 July 2019
Zeus marked the spot with a stone called the omphalos (navel), to signify the location’s centrality.
—National Geographic, 12 Mar. 2019
Liz Alderman, New York Times, 9 July 2019
While the temples have crumbled, seeing the omphalos gave me goose bumps, and left me awe-struck over Delphi’s sublime place in history.
—Liz Alderman, New York Times, 9 July 2019
Zeus marked the spot with a stone called the omphalos (navel), to signify the location’s centrality.
—National Geographic, 12 Mar. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for omphalos
Noun
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The National Center for Education Statistics has tracked a recent drop in U.S. children’s reading abilities, yet that mostly coincides with the pandemic, and scores are still as good as or better than when the center started measuring, in 1971.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
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If Ukraine develops its own air defense system, this would ease Kyiv's independence on the likes of the U.S. for the protection of its population centers and vital infrastructure.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Her home takes its cues from Milan design, mixing vintage and artisanal pieces, a style Elsesser has been drawn to since her many travels to Italy’s fashion capital.—
Hannah Martin,
Architectural Digest,
24 Jan. 2025
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Pyramid of the Magician, Uxmal (Yucatán) Photo by Richie Chan/Shutterstock The Maya were never centralized in one capital.—
John Newton,
AFAR Media,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Creating an even larger mecca for the music lover is an exciting prospect, especially for our intimate live events, where the world’s most exciting artists perform in-store for the admission of purchasing their new album.—
Matthew Strauss,
Pitchfork,
23 Jan. 2025
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Although better known as a mecca for fashion and style, Milan is the capital of the agriculture-rich Lombardy region, ensuring that restaurants and home cooks can access fresh, high-quality local ingredients.—
Irene S. Levine,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The appeal lies in creating a space where New Yorkers can enjoy exceptional service, free parking (a rarity in the region), and an experience that feels just as special as a trip to Manhattan’s luxury hubs.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
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That will include shifting some production — particularly control room production — from New York and Washington, D.C., to CNN’s Atlanta hub.—
Alex Weprin,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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That was a strong indication that the nucleus of 2024 G3 was disintegrating, and this was later confirmed by Australian observers.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
27 Jan. 2025
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Any such concerns may be too overwrought; the Houston Rockets’ young nucleus of Alperen Şengün, Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. has emerged from sustained losing early in their careers, thanks in part to the additions of hard-nosed veterans Dillon Brooks, Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams.—
Josh Robbins,
The Athletic,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The entire Emilia-Romagna region is home to many of my culinary obsessions—like tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini (allegedly named after Venus, the Roman goddess of love’s navel), mortadella, prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano Reggiano, fizzy Lambrusco, and so much more.—
Jenn Rice,
Forbes,
20 Dec. 2024
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These topical patches stick to the back of your ear or around your navel and release a natural blend of essential oils to relieve nausea.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Shadow banking has thus become the new locus of financial instability, in turn requiring additional unconventional central bank lending and asset purchase programs.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
14 Jan. 2025
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Or targeting key Russian infrastructure in Donetsk Oblast, currently the locus of a powerful Russian offensive that kicked off a year ago.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
1 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near omphalos
Cite this Entry
“Omphalos.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/omphalos. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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