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
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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
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
Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Weinberg lauded Nadella’s focus on customers of all sizes.
—Jordan Novet, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2025
Bruce Strom, Sun Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2025
Steiner was one of the breakout stars of series 1, when few of the major Formula One teams wanted to be involved or featured, so producers focused on mid-grid teams who were keen for coverage.
—Caroline Frost, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Noun
The move comes as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushes for an 8% cut to the Pentagon’s budget and as the military shifts its focus away from Europe and counterterrorism missions.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Weinberg lauded Nadella’s focus on customers of all sizes.
—Jordan Novet, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
Much of the discussion in the Legislature after the collapse, led by Democratic state Sen. Jason Pizzo and Republican state Sen. Jennifer Bradley, focuses on making our condominiums safe so all owners can sleep soundly.
—Bruce Strom, Sun Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2025
Steiner was one of the breakout stars of series 1, when few of the major Formula One teams wanted to be involved or featured, so producers focused on mid-grid teams who were keen for coverage.
—Caroline Frost, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus
Noun
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Functionality of these three branches and the commensurate endurance of individual liberty center squarely on society’s universal respect for the rule of law.—
Blake D. Morant,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Both feature unlikely partnerships and manage big tonal swings while keeping the characters firmly at the center.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Another powerful framework is to use a career compass instead of a career map.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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Think of fair conduct as your organization’s compass.—
Shivali Kukreja,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Edward Lucas, the British writer who concentrates on security issues, thought this was a good idea.—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
1 Apr. 2025
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Stream Dance Spa - Santa Fe, New Mexico Stream Dance Spa at Bishop's Lodge in Santa Fe, New Mexico, offers a serene retreat that concentrates on spiritual well-being for travelers seeking tranquility, self-realization and connection.—
Martie Bowser,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Noun
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There will always be a need for people to access information, and libraries are the hubs of the community.—
J.M. Banks,
Kansas City Star,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump announced tariffs that directly impacts some of the industry’s largest manufacturing hubs.—
Mecca Pryor,
Essence,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Everybody's involved in this war and struggle, and some are pulling in different directions.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Focus on short-term gains instead of purpose and long-term goals so the lack of direction creates even more ambiguity.—
Csaba Toth,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had dominated the capital for most of the war, with the Sudanese army forced to set up a wartime hub at Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast.—
Emmanuel Akinwotu,
NPR,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Helsinki The coastal capital of Finland seamlessly blends together modern architecture, sustainable living and historic landmarks, like the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fortress Suomenlinna.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The purpose of the show was to reach across the aisle and form connections between un-like-minded people.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
3 Apr. 2025
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More than this perhaps, as Sara Halpern, visiting assistant professor of history at St. Olaf college, wrote to me, the attack had a broader purpose.—
Jason D. Greenblatt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Since its founding in 1869, the university has turned Carbondale into a tiny cultural mecca and a powerful economic engine in an otherwise vast, rural region that has been battered by the decline of manufacturing and coal mining.—
Molly Parker,
ProPublica,
27 Mar. 2025
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Critics of the loophole point to Walt Disney as among the first to take advantage of it decades ago when developing its tourist mecca of resorts and theme parks near Orlando.—
Josh Salman,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Focus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/focus. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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