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

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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
The first sudsy swiping involved $45,000 worth of product picked up at the distribution center, which never arrived at its intended destination of Tucson, Ariz. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 Miami got off to a promising start, taking a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute when Casemiro, who lined up as a center back, leaped above Montreal defenders and scored on a header off a Telasco Segovia corner kick. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
Verb
So far, the temporary restraining order has centered on the players’ eligibility. — Seth Emerson, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Bertelli’s strategic focus has been centered on elevating the quality of the top line and improving retail execution. — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 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
  • Days later, the governors of Texas and Pennsylvania – both of whom celebrated data center projects last year – announced new restrictions on the computing hubs.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Thanks to the Romanian government’s encouragement of IT, the country became something of an outsourcing hub, with a plentiful supply of engineers.
    — Roger Trapp, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of hub
Noun
  • Or, for that matter, honest people who are just loudly watching drunk people fight each other on YouTube during the middle of their shift at a debt collection agency.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Runs up the middle were often stuffed at the line, at least three of Daniels’ pass attempts were batted away and three others were dropped.
    — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of middle
Verb
  • In other cases, families will be consolidated in a single location.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
  • On the other side, a more moderate camp senses a chance to consolidate Iran’s gains in talks that have made little progress.
    — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of consolidate
Verb
  • Some participants loved the program, which, like EST, took place over four days and focused on personal transformation.
    — Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Reddington is focusing on the allegation that Clancy crushed pills and placed them in lemonade as part of her suicide attempt.
    — Sumiko Corley, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of focus
Noun
  • Drivers in the Iranian capital of Tehran are experiencing long lines at gas stations and temporary fuel shortages, according to Iranian news agencies, although authorities have insisted the overall fuel supply chain remains stable.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The precedent for what happens when that capital moves quickly is March 2020, when a rapid unwind of leveraged positions contributed to a breakdown of Treasury-market liquidity severe enough to require Federal Reserve intervention.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of capital
Noun
  • The grieving husband said Soto de Guzman wanted to take their son to Santo Domingo on Saturday and had already booked a flight, but the son was in the midst of a mental health crisis.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Zero Company takes place in the midst of the Clone Wars of the prequel trilogy, following an ex-Republic officer named Hawks who left their military post after losing an entire unit.
    — Hayes Madsen, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of midst
Verb
  • The local enrollment declines are mostly concentrated in local districts’ elementary schools.
    — Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Affordable housing production is increasingly concentrated in lower-income neighborhoods, while wealthier communities add fewer affordable homes.
    — David Schwartz, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of concentrate
Noun
  • The barbecue mecca in Caldwell County is home to around 18,000 people and roughly a half-hour drive from south Austin, traffic depending.
    — Eleanor Dearman Updated August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The popular theatre was a cultural mecca that drew thousands to its operas, ballets and other public events, and hosted legendary greats including Maria Callas and Franco Zeffirelli.
    — Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 23 July 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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