the crux
noun
: the most important part of something (such as a problem, issue, puzzle, etc.)
—usually + of
The crux of the matter is that people are afraid of change.
It's taken a while to get to the crux of the problem, but I think I finally understand it.
Examples of the crux in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At the crux of the matter is a question: Are tariffs a long-term strategy to raise revenue and force companies to bring manufacturing back to the U.S.?
—
Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2025
That was the crux of the NSA’s warning that has now been made public and which has been headlined as a Signal vulnerability in the wake of Trump officials inadvertently inviting a journalist onto a sensitive group chat.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
While the crux of the holiday's historical origin centers on emancipation from death and destruction, there are ways to explain the Passover story to kids that highlight symbols of hope and resilience.
—Holly Rizzuto Palker, Parents, 27 Mar. 2025
That’s where the crux of the dispute is, to the extent that the basis for the lawsuit is false advertising.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the crux
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Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2025
That was the crux of the NSA’s warning that has now been made public and which has been headlined as a Signal vulnerability in the wake of Trump officials inadvertently inviting a journalist onto a sensitive group chat.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
While the crux of the holiday's historical origin centers on emancipation from death and destruction, there are ways to explain the Passover story to kids that highlight symbols of hope and resilience.
—Holly Rizzuto Palker, Parents, 27 Mar. 2025
That’s where the crux of the dispute is, to the extent that the basis for the lawsuit is false advertising.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the crux
Cite this Entry
“The crux.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20crux. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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