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
Relevance
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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of focus
Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025
The primary focus now appears to be Porto’s Nico Gonzalez, a 23-year-old Spaniard who was developed in Barcelona’s academy, and can play in defensive midfield or further forward in central midfield.
—Jacob Whitehead, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
Simon Hill, WIRED, 5 Feb. 2025
At both schools, he was taught to focus on the human figure, as was common for artists of his era.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for focus 
Noun
In the minutes and hours following Saturday’s furor, the focus was entirely on Hurley — specifically, his decision to leave the court without shaking hands with the Wildcats.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025
The primary focus now appears to be Porto’s Nico Gonzalez, a 23-year-old Spaniard who was developed in Barcelona’s academy, and can play in defensive midfield or further forward in central midfield.
—Jacob Whitehead, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
Verb
The e-Stewards certification program is focused on the responsible management of end-of-life electronics (Staples is a partner) and aligns with the Basel Convention requirements for the transboundary movement of electronic waste and components.
—Simon Hill, WIRED, 5 Feb. 2025
At both schools, he was taught to focus on the human figure, as was common for artists of his era.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for focus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus
Noun
-
Miller has pivoted between center and wing more recently, so there’s the potential for some interchange there.—
Arthur Staple,
The Athletic,
2 Feb. 2025
-
The sky was clear but dark and, at the center of a substantial metropolitan area, crowded with lights.—
Matthew L. Wald,
The New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
One of the years, our playoff motto was ‘North’ with a couple of darts like a compass facing north.—
Corey Masisak,
The Denver Post,
2 Feb. 2025
-
Jupiter direct in your spirituality sector the same day gives you the cosmic green light to trust your intuition — your inner compass knows what’s best for you.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
refinery29.com,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
They are primarily concentrated in Hawaii, but also in California including in San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.—
Stephanie Lam,
The Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2025
-
That growth was mostly concentrated in the Southeast, including the Philly region.—
Mike D'Onofrio,
Axios,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
These targets include airfields, military plants, ammunition depots and warehouses, and also oil hubs and refineries, which have supplied President Vladimir Putin's military with fuel in the ongoing conflict.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
3 Feb. 2025
-
Now that the four organizations have formerly merged their economic development efforts, the alliance is looking to start a number of initiatives throughout this year to speed up Aurora’s transformation into an innovation hub, according to a news release about the launch event.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Only a less delusional motivation, a larger conception of self-interest, can move the world in a less delusional direction.—
Winslow Myers,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
-
The refiners are given very unconventional directions to the cave.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
New Albany is roughly 15 miles northeast of the state capital, Columbus.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN,
5 Feb. 2025
-
General view of the City of London skyline, the capital’s financial district, in October.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
However, TVLine may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.—
Claire Franken,
TVLine,
2 Feb. 2025
-
Cicero, including the Police Department, does not provide facilities for federal immigration agents for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws. Cicero, including the Police Department, does not maintain or record information about residents’ citizenship, immigration or residency status.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
But how did stars such as A$AP Rocky and Pharrell stumble upon the store, especially given Tokyo is a mecca for vintage?—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
6 Feb. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Gunnison’s Hartman Rocks, one of the state’s most iconic mountain biking areas, is also a mecca for winter pedaling.—
Shauna Farnell,
The Denver Post,
29 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near focus
Cite this Entry
“Focus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/focus. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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