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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Example Sentences
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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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Dressmaker and activist Mary Dickerson (top row, center) inspires a character in HBO's The Gilded Age.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
8 July 2025
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At the center of the bodice of her look was a keyhole cutout — a signature motif featured throughout several Schiaparelli designs dating back to the 1930s.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
As Russian troops slowly clawed back most of Kursk, attacks on Sumy – and its regional capital, Sumy city – increased.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
11 July 2025
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Ten of Liberia’s presidents were born in the U.S. Liberia’s capital, Monrovia, is named after James Monroe, the fifth U.S. president, who strongly supported the ACS.—
Oumou Fofana,
Essence,
11 July 2025
Noun
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As Almeyda makes her journey towards this elusive mecca, both the idea of Palmares and Almeyda’s journey toward it feel like hallucinatory visions: Vibrantly conjured, indeed mythic in intention and impact.—
Irenosen Okojie
July 11,
Literary Hub,
11 July 2025
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By day, it’s known for its colorful murals and buzzing cafés, but by night, the district turns into a mecca for creative cocktails, late-night galleries and performances by world-class DJs.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2025
Noun
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Future outlook: The development aims to create a mixed-use, mixed-income community by putting housing near employment hubs and public transportation.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
10 July 2025
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Across our footprint, 1,000+ founders activated in our business hubs—contributed, connected, and claimed space in the future of culture and commerce.—
ESSENCE Staff,
Essence,
10 July 2025
Noun
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McLaurin would instantly become Allen's top target and perfectly augment the versatile Khalil Shakir and developing Keon Coleman to form the nucleus of a passing attack that has potential rate among the best in the league.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
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In mid-March, while still in Gonzales with what would become the nucleus of the San Jacinto army, Sam Houston concluded that a retreat into deep East Texas provided his best chance of success.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Noun
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Larijani said a drone might hit Trump in the navel, in what appeared to be a light-hearted remark during a discussion about the merits of Iranian military technology compared with the U.S.—
Brendan Cole
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
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During the June 19 episode, the 90210 star asked Eden about wearing the iconic Jeannie costume, which featured pink and red pants, a matching bralette, headpiece and short jacket, leaving her navel exposed (but crucially not her belly button).—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Chicago has never been a locus of chain restaurants, unlike many cities in the south.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2025
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Indeed, Georgetown is emerging as a locus of student resistance.—
Maria Gracia Santillana Linares,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Omphalos.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/omphalos. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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