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
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
Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 22 July 2025
Conversations among the passengers and Field School people started to become the focus, the fishing a distraction, and people starting giving the bait buckets nervous looks.
—ArsTechnica, 22 July 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
Over time, Ozzy's two main focuses became music and family.
—Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 22 July 2025
Conversations among the passengers and Field School people started to become the focus, the fishing a distraction, and people starting giving the bait buckets nervous looks.
—ArsTechnica, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for focus
Verb
-
Merchant banking-style funds concentrate their efforts on fewer companies with deeper operational involvement.—
Josipa Majic Predin,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
After selling the company in 1998 to investors, Dinh Van concentrated on unique furniture pieces, among other personal projects.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
After parting with Daniel Jones last year, the front office has brought in veteran talent and youth to hold things down under center.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
-
Community amenities include a parking garage, a resort-style pool, pet park, fitness center with a yoga and pilates studio, resident clubhouse and co-working space.—
Corina Vanek,
AZCentral.com,
19 July 2025
Noun
-
The watch also features an accelerometer, a barometer, a compass, a gyroscope, and a temperature sensor.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
17 July 2025
-
Smith Baker said one of the St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation’s guiding principles especially resonates with her: Community is a compass.—
Mars King,
Twin Cities,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
For many years, Puerto Rico served as a hub of pharmaceutical manufacturing for the United States.—
Thomas J. Bollyky,
Foreign Affairs,
22 July 2025
-
And true to that mission, the stall has become a community hub, a place for conversation and for people to reconnect with books and literature.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
22 July 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
-
But huge early bets in the wrong direction can doom your venture.—
Dileep Rao,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
The city is already making cuts, such as by not filling open positions and by stopping capital projects that are not absolutely required, Laesch said.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
23 July 2025
-
Ferguson will wear the No 11 shirt in the Italian capital.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
In addition to being easier to use, steamers can serve a dual purpose; the steam acts as a natural deodorizer, eliminating not only wrinkles but also odor-causing bacteria.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 July 2025
-
As Wolf says, cannabis hospitality’s future belongs to those who serve purpose, not novelty — building a new kind of travel rooted in mindfulness, connection and place.—
Javier Hasse,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share