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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of focus
Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
And that’s focusing on the bulk things, which are really important — getting ahead of guys, not walking guys, limiting damage.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026
Their focus is on the large number of detainees who are accused of immigration violations but no other crimes.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for focus
Verb
Combative Mars finds ease in a trine to lucky Jupiter, focusing your 2nd House of Salaries and your 6th House of Effort, which — thankfully — should make budgeting less stressful.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
And that’s focusing on the bulk things, which are really important — getting ahead of guys, not walking guys, limiting damage.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
Noun
And there’s a lot of focus on Chuck Schumer right now.
—NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026
Their focus is on the large number of detainees who are accused of immigration violations but no other crimes.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for focus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus
Verb
-
Gradually drizzle ¼ cup egg mixture into broth, concentrating in a single area; repeat with remaining egg mixture in ¼-cupfuls in different areas.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The experience incorporates Oskia skin care in a harmonious, sleep-enhancing ritual concentrated on the face, back, shoulders and scalp for children 8 and older.—
Kathryn Romeyn,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Texas had subbed 7-foot center Matas Vokietaitis out of the game with 11 seconds left after Boilermakers big man Oscar Cluff had fouled out, giving Purdue a better opportunity in the paint.—
Janie McCauley,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The Gators now await NBA decisions from Condon, small forward Thomas Haugh and center Rueben Chinyelu, three juniors who formed one of the nation’s top frontcourts alongside with 7-foot-1 senior reserve Micah Handlogten.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Friends of Rubio say his stance and the underlying goal of a free Cuba has never wavered and continue to serve as his personal and political compass.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
-
When thoughts race, breathe slowly and trust your inner compass to organize your feelings before responding.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The combination creates one of the world’s largest independent studios with major creative hubs in the five continents and capabilities spanning all genres and formats.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There are any number of frameworks and factions across two decades of defense officials panicking about the direction of the US military.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Witnesses intervened, and the unknown offender left the scene in an unknown direction.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
An open-air concert in the middle of a capital city inverts all of that.—
Yook JiHun,
Popular Science,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The thousands of blooming cherry trees that adorn the nation's capital have burst into ephemeral blossoms, the arrival of which marks the unofficial beginning of Washington's tourist season.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The litigation is now complicating the rollout of a Bureau of Prisons policy revision, issued in February, that would end all complimentary in-prison access to hormonal drugs and cosmetic surgeries for gender-affirmation purposes.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The left has a tremendous advantage in terms of political energy and purpose.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The tech mecca has slowly begun to emerge from one of the country’s deepest declines in downtown retail, in part through a program that peppered the city with subsidized pop-up shops.—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Each January, that stillness is interrupted by the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting, transforming a quiet alpine town, Davos, into a mecca of power.—
Victoria Bousis,
Rolling Stone,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Focus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/focus. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
