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
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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
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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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of focus
Reuters, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Such nuance can escape state highway engineers trained with a myopic focus on vehicle speed.
—David Zipper, Vox, 13 Nov. 2024
Renee Dudley, ProPublica, 15 Nov. 2024
Kennedy has not focused as much on the agency that spends more than $1.5 trillion yearly to provide health care coverage for more than half of the country through Medicaid, Medicare or the Affordable Care Act.
—Aleccia Washington, Twin Cities, 15 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for focus 
Noun
Reuters reported in May that the $925 billion PIF was weighing a reorganization, aiming to sharpen its focus on investments that have a higher chance of success.
—Reuters, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Such nuance can escape state highway engineers trained with a myopic focus on vehicle speed.
—David Zipper, Vox, 13 Nov. 2024
Verb
Lawmakers focused on how Microsoft packaged its products into tiers of service — with advanced security tools attached to only the most expensive license, known to government customers as the G5.
—Renee Dudley, ProPublica, 15 Nov. 2024
Kennedy has not focused as much on the agency that spends more than $1.5 trillion yearly to provide health care coverage for more than half of the country through Medicaid, Medicare or the Affordable Care Act.
—Aleccia Washington, Twin Cities, 15 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for focus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus
Noun
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Singapore’s race with Hong Kong to be the preeminent financial center of Asia is led by its Big Three banks: DBS Bank, United Overseas Bank (UOB), and OverseaChinese Banking Corp. (OCBC).Nicholas Gordon, Fortune Asia, 27 Nov. 2024
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That private gathering is at the center of Conclave (available now on digital), directed by Edward Berger and starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Sergio Castellitto, Carlos Diehz, and Isabella Rossellini.Gerrad Hall, EW.com, 27 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Define Your Purpose Purpose is your compass for success.Melanie Borden, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
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Nor did researchers need tape measures, binoculars, or compasses to find their way through the thick foliage.Anna Lagos, WIRED, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
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The team decided to let the fruit hang on the vine a little longer than normal, which allowed the flavors to concentrate before picking.Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 21 Nov. 2024
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The boycott, which concentrated on the use of pesticides, began in 1984 by union organizer Cesar Chavez.Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Some of the biggest stars in Latin music will gather Thursday for the 25th anniversary of the Grammys in Miami — a hub of Latin American culture and the headquarters of the Latin Recording Academy.Kaitlyn Schwanemann, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
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After over two years of planning, delays, and construction, Gilroy celebrated the transformation of a back alley into a public pedestrian plaza in a move that officials say will bring new life into downtown and serve as a hub of activity in the city.Luis Melecio-Zambrano, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Oftentimes, this allows deer to smell danger from multiple directions.Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 22 Nov. 2024
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The group has been expanding in all directions—deepening their community work, such as teaching kids how to use cameras at an event with the Hoods to Woods Foundation this summer at Big Snow in New Jersey, but also attracting the attention and support of bigger sponsors.Michelle Bruton, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The filing also details the company's liquidity and capital resources, noting cash on hand of $0.4 million as of September 30, 2024, and ongoing financing efforts to support operations.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
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Crucial tools, especially for galvanizing private capital, have remained untapped in a historically unproductive Congress.Leslie Vinjamuri, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024
Noun
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As retail evolves to meet changing consumer values, the Choose Love Store sets an example of what’s possible when shopping meets social purpose.Kate Hardcastle, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
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The resort uses solar panels and desalinates water for landscaping purposes.Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 28 Nov. 2024
Noun
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While snow in Phoenix doesn't compare to the blizzards and winter storms that places like Flagstaff or Pinetop-Lakeside experience, the desert mecca can still see the occasional snowflakes falling from the sky.Zach Bradshaw, The Arizona Republic, 13 Nov. 2024
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For powersports fans, Glamis Imperial Sand Dunes is the mecca of off-roading in the Southwest.Kristin Shaw, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near focus
Cite this Entry
“Focus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/focus. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
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