Synonyms for focus

Most common

concentrate · rivet · pore · sharpen

Synonyms by meaning

Verb

Noun

Antonyms

dilute, diffusion, reverie

All antonyms of focus →

Definitions

1. v. 1

   To cause (rays of light, etc) to converge at a single point.

2. v. 2

   To adjust (a lens, an optical instrument) in order to position an image with respect to the focal plane.

   You'll need to focus the microscope carefully in order to capture the full detail of this surface.

3. n. 1

   A point at which reflected or refracted rays of light converge.

   The heat of sunlight at the focus of a magnifying glass can easily set dry leaves on fire.

Related words

Word family

focal

Is a kind of

order

Forms

Plural

focuses → directions, centerings, niduses, minds…

Past participle

focused
e.g. focused → concentrated, centered, riveted, pored…

Example sentences

• concentrate Let's concentrate on what Tom is about to perform.
• pore Look at him, he's oozing testosterone from every pore.
• sharpen This pencil is blunt. Could you sharpen it, please?
• thrust Sami has been thrust into a role he never imagined.
• fixate Don't fixate on yourself. Help others instead.

Popularity over time

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

4 letters

mind¹, pore¹

5 letters

point¹, apply², rivet², nidus

6 letters

center², centre², direct², stress¹, object², thrust¹, fixate²

7 letters

nucleus³, sharpen²

8 letters

centring, focalise

9 letters

direction³, centering³, sharpness², concentre, concenter

11 letters

concentrate³, convergence³

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (apply² = 2 syllables).

In other languages

Français

focaliser

Deutsch

fokussieren