center 1 of 2

noun

ˈsen-tər How to pronounce center (audio)
Definition of centernext
1
as in hub
a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest a stretch of coastline that has long been the area's center of tourism

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in middle
an area or point that is an equal distance from all points along an edge or outer surface the center of the earth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

center

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to consolidate
to bring (something) to a central point or under a single control centered administrative duties under the command of a single person

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to focus
to fix (as one's attention) steadily toward a central objective the students centered their attention on final exams

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 center
Noun
Japan’s southwestern shift in its military focus centers heavily on Okinawa and its nearby islands. — Mari Yamaguchi, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026 Maxime Raynaud, an All-Rookie selection last season, and Dylan Cardwell will be trying to earn minutes behind Sabonis at the center position. — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026
Verb
Hegemann’s research centered on halorhodopsin, a protein that uses light energy to pump chloride ions across the membrane in certain bacteria. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Oct. 2026 The Olympics and Paralympics will be centered on the state capital, Brisbane, but cities across the state, including the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, will host competitions. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for center
Recent Examples of Synonyms for center
  1. hub
  2. middle
  3. consolidate
  4. focus
  5. capital
  6. midst
  7. concentrate
  8. mecca
Noun
  • Not to be outdone, Celsius, another prominent energy drink, has partnered with ESPN to sponsor College GameDay, the hub of the let’s-have-fun-and-watch-TV-sports-all-day movement.
    — Kent Sepkowitz, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
  • DriVe2X sees potential applications in mobility hubs, apartment buildings, and single-family houses.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of hub
Noun
  • With the Seminoles staring at the end zone from the 4-yard line, Daniels faked the pitch left, kept the football and charged straight up the middle, steamrolling through Virginia safety Christian Ellis before crashing into the end zone.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Plumas National Forest, California About 100 miles northeast of California’s state capital, Derek Young stood in the middle of a clearing in Plumas National Forest.
    — Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of middle
Verb
  • On the opposition side, Bolsonaro is engaging in outreach to political figures, party leaders and regional allies to consolidate support.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Lula plans to sharpen his message and target battleground states, while Bolsonaro works to consolidate support after his party won more than a third of Senate seats.
    — Mauricio Savarese, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of consolidate
Verb
  • Jackson says this is because he’s determined to focus people on the company’s success, rather than their own individual advancement.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Andersen is also focused on making existing turbines more efficient.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of focus
Noun
  • Otthon Centrum analyst Gábor Soóki-Tóth said Tihany is one of the most expensive places in Hungary to buy a vacation property — with prices outstripping those in the nation's capital.
    — Lucy Handley, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, who is stationed at Futenma Air Station, on suspicion of strangling Anna Yagi, 39, at a hotel in the island's capital city, Naha, early Saturday and stealing her wallet and backpack.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of capital
Noun
  • In some rooms, the tubs are in the midst of the living area, which cuts into modesty a bit.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Wellness Is Key Her team is also in the midst of evolving the wellness experience, through discovery, authenticity, wellness and personalized service, also supported by stronger storytelling and long-term brand evolution.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of midst
Verb
  • But the latest release — though unlikely to materially affect the results of the upcoming election — once again concentrates attention on Tinubu’s time in the US.
    — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Just as a still concentrates a large batch of weak liquid into a smaller batch of strong stuff, AI distillation condenses a big model into a smaller one that, ideally, acts like the original.
    — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of concentrate
Noun
  • Named for the massive cliffs that stretch across 32 miles of shoreline, Calvert Cliffs is also a mecca for fossil hunters.
    — Katie Riley, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2026
  • But for lovers of all things sweet and creamy, Cheesecake Funk is today a veritable mecca for those in the know.
    — David Farley, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of mecca

Phrases Containing center

Browse Nearby Words

centenarian
center
centered
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Cite this Entry

“Center.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/center. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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