variants
also focuses
1
as in centers
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 compasses
a guiding or motivating purpose or principle
a wildlife conservation organization that seems to have lost its focus
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of foci
Among the focuses will be communication, data, inflation, technology and the Fed's balance sheet.
—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
26 June 2026
Beyond family and football, Kane’s two main focuses, golf is the only other hobby that really moves him.
—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
The coach said that one of the central focuses of their preparation had been avoiding turnovers near South Korea’s box in the face of Mexico’s high press.
—
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Permanent chancellor search One of Santiago’s key focuses is appointing a permanent chancellor.
—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
12 June 2026
One of the main focuses of support for the campaign is to endow staff positions.
—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
12 June 2026
That's one of my focuses this year.
—
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Ugarte said one of his key focuses, if elected, would be to address environmental inequities and lack of reliable public transportation in the district.
—
Kristy Hutchings,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
Beachwear, resortwear, prêt-à-porter, fashion jewelry, bags, accessories, eyewear, footwear and childrenswear are the main focuses at the trade event.
—
Footwear News,
26 May 2026
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
26 June 2026
Beyond family and football, Kane’s two main focuses, golf is the only other hobby that really moves him.
—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
The coach said that one of the central focuses of their preparation had been avoiding turnovers near South Korea’s box in the face of Mexico’s high press.
—
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Permanent chancellor search One of Santiago’s key focuses is appointing a permanent chancellor.
—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
12 June 2026
One of the main focuses of support for the campaign is to endow staff positions.
—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
12 June 2026
That's one of my focuses this year.
—
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Ugarte said one of his key focuses, if elected, would be to address environmental inequities and lack of reliable public transportation in the district.
—
Kristy Hutchings,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
Beachwear, resortwear, prêt-à-porter, fashion jewelry, bags, accessories, eyewear, footwear and childrenswear are the main focuses at the trade event.
—
Footwear News,
26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foci
Noun
-
Lahore is the capital of Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province, where many parents send their children to private tutoring centers in the afternoon and evening.
-
Kennard could have provided a critical floor-spacing piece around Doncic, who thrives when surrounded by lob-catching centers, athletic wings and knockdown shooters.
Noun
-
So many role-playing games spoonfeed you with compasses and waypoints and fourth-wall-breaking warnings.
-
As for steering a buggy to the Artemis base, compasses don’t work on the moon, and dust will adhere to optics, so NASA has pioneered plans to use Earth’s Galileo and GPS satellites to navigate.
Noun
-
That represents a significant eyeball shift following last season’s 50-50 split between the two fashion capitals.
-
Both are attempting historic makeovers of their capitals, with an eye to their own legacies.
Noun
-
Gunfire rang out into the vehicle until both men eventually ran away in opposite directions.
-
Mercury stations retrograde in Cancer in your 3rd House of Communication, making texts, directions, calls, errands, and local plans easier to misread.
Noun
-
Artificial intelligence is fundamentally altering America's economic geography, enabling businesses to operate globally while reducing reliance on traditional urban hubs.
-
The airport is one of only two commercial aviation hubs in the United States to feature terminal gambling (the other is Reno-Tahoe International Airport).
Noun
-
However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
-
The information provided is for educational purposes and should not be construed as financial, investment or trading advice.
Noun
-
Unlike conventional nuclear fission reactors, fusion combines light atomic nuclei to release energy.
-
In this setup, neutrinos occasionally interact with atomic nuclei in the water.
Noun
-
The fest is becoming a beacon for those who still pine for former jam meccas like Gathering of the Vibes, Wakarusa, Rothbury, and 10,000 Lakes.
-
With one day left to declare candidacy in the race for Los Angeles mayor, all eyes are on Rick Caruso, the billionaire developer behind outdoor shopping meccas like The Grove.
Cite this Entry
“Foci.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foci. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
