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
Relevance
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
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of focus
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 23 July 2025
The show, called P.I. Moms, focused on Butler and a select few of his employees — including Antoon, Allen, Wiltz and Peters.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 23 July 2025
Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Arsenal travelled light — the focus was almost entirely on football.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Verb
Melania Trump's signature initiative during her first term as First Lady, Be Best, focused not on the arts but on young people.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 23 July 2025
The show, called P.I. Moms, focused on Butler and a select few of his employees — including Antoon, Allen, Wiltz and Peters.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 23 July 2025
Noun
While the focus is on continuing to expand and market the sports card services CGC Cards offers, Spiegel says expanding into sports memorabilia isn’t out of the question.
—Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Arsenal travelled light — the focus was almost entirely on football.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus
Verb
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Meanwhile, Jim Crow laws that enforced separation of the races in the South, including in Texas, led to a move to concentrate African Americans, and therefore amenities such as schools, into Central East Austin.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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Ryan added that the effects of the hunger crisis are also now being seen among humanitarian workers who have been in Gaza for the past two years and now have little energy and are struggling to concentrate.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
28 July 2025
Noun
-
Shaun Spencer, a member of the West Louisville Dream Team and tenant in the center, said the group plans to raise $3 million for the purchase and repairs to the building.—
Keely Doll,
The Courier-Journal,
31 July 2025
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The Black Sabbath singer's coffin was driven along Broad Street in the city center.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
31 July 2025
Noun
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His left arm features elaborate artwork of a giant ship, a compass, a lighthouse and a map of South America.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Leaders who cling to the illusion of long-term predictability will be outmaneuvered by those who treat strategy not as a map but as a compass.—
Rupesh Dabbir,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Even flights between islands are less frequent and more expensive than most travelers realize, often requiring passengers to transit through hubs like San Juan, Miami, or Fort Lauderdale.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Aug. 2025
-
Inside, buttons are something of a rarity, with the majority of the controls on the touchscreen in the steering wheel hub.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard closed at Loop 101 Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard in Scottsdale was scheduled to close in both directions at Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) from 9 p.m. July 25 to 5 a.m. July 28 for a widening project, according to ADOT.—
Olivia Rose,
AZCentral.com,
26 July 2025
-
Cosmic rays bounce across the universe in all directions, meaning Earth is bombarded from all sides by trillions of them.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
In 1943: Allied forces, led by U.S. Gen. George S. Patton, successfully captured Palermo, the regional capital of Sicily and a strategic nexus for the Allied invasion of mainland Italy during World War II.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
23 July 2025
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The Consequential Consensus Whether prophetic or destined for technology's unfulfilled promises museum, the San Francisco Consensus is already redirecting capital flows and strategic priorities.—
Arafat Kabir,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
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Losing a sense of purpose after selling a company Kass and Mike aren't the only entrepreneurs to feel a sense of aimlessness after selling their company.—
Natalie Wu,
CNBC,
1 Aug. 2025
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Achieving a small goal (A) can boost your engagement (E) and deepen your sense of purpose (M).—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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For the past few years, Lilly has made news by driving large-scale investments in the LEAP Innovation District, billed as a future manufacturing and tech mecca in Lebanon, Indiana.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Focus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/focus. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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