foci

noun

variants also focuses
plural of focus
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 There’s also the Chill and Thrill Islands, aptly named for their focuses on chilling and thrilling passengers, respectively. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 In 2019, the NFL entered into a multiyear deal with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, with the focuses of the partnership being live entertainment and amplifying social justice initiatives. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2026 Improving infrastructure has been one of Duffy’s primary focuses since taking the helm. — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026 Both inflation and the jobs market have been key focuses for Wall Street and the Federal Reserve. — Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Our Walks & Treks tours are one of our most popular tour types, however tours with culinary focuses are quickly gaining popularity. — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 When Eli Lilly reports on Wednesday morning, one of the main focuses will be on GLP-1 sales in international markets. — Zev Fima,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2026 His explorations of being poor, marginal, and stereotyped took many forms, including drawing and painting, which are the focuses of a posthumous exhibition of his work at the Drawing Center. — Coco Fusco, The New York Review of Books, 1 Aug. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foci
  1. centers
  2. compasses
  3. capitals
  4. directions
  5. hubs
  6. purposes
  7. nuclei
  8. meccas
Noun
  • In Congo, where the outbreak has spread to seven provinces, responders have faced attacks on health teams, misinformation about the virus, a failure by locals to report symptoms and rebel violence that has limited access to treatment centers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Much of the discussion surrounding this week’s game centers around how the Georgia defense will go about defending Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell.
    — Connor Riley, AJC.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of centers
Noun
  • Think vintage navy portholes, ship compasses, and aircraft fuselage.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The prevailing motifs include Anglo-American boarding schools and college campuses, accoutrements with a romantic aura (billowing sleeves, melting candles), and analog artifacts (old compasses, monocles).
    — Sophia Zhang, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026
Definition of compasses
Noun
  • Beyond aesthetics, is there anything to be gleaned from Huang’s large, looping capitals or from Brockman’s wobbly lowercase initials?
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The streamer is also hosting major premieres of the series across the country in capitals like Goiânia, Brazil’s capital of sertanejo, and Belo Horizonte.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of capitals
Noun
  • Accessibility The higgledy-piggledy nature of the building, with any number of steps going in multiple different directions, does not initially scream accessibility, but there are three accessible rooms and lifts accessing every level.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Openings between each section welcome visitors from all directions.
    — Footwear News, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of directions
Noun
  • What to do nearby Belltown is one of Seattle's nightlife hubs, with some of the city's best bars within a few blocks of the hotel (try Rob Roy or Roquette).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • On another front, because red diesel is currently distributed primarily through agricultural cooperatives and specialized fueling hubs, expanding its throughput across mainstream highway truck stops presents immediate operational hurdles.
    — , CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of hubs
Noun
  • No student information is to be disclosed for immigration enforcement purposes without a court order or subpoena, according to state law.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Other independents in the Senate, including Maine's Angus King on the moderate end and Vermont's Bernie Sanders on the left, caucus with Democrats for organizational purposes and committee assignments.
    — NICHOLAS INGRAM, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of purposes
Noun
  • And deuterium nuclei contain a neutron that can be liberated by a neutrino and then detected, regardless of the type of neutrino.
    — Doug Cowen, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Other nuclei have energy gaps that are too large for lasers to excite.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of nuclei
Noun
  • Instead of meccas or meeting places for diehard fans, live sporting events try to position themselves as major cultural moments.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
  • 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.
    — Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2026
Definition of meccas

Browse Nearby Words

focal points
foci
focus
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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