Thesaurus results for OMPHALOS

omphalos

noun

ˈäm(p)-fə-ˌläs

Definition of omphalos

as in center

a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest during the Vietnam War the university's campus effectively became the area's omphalos for antiwar activity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 omphalos While the rest of the world was in its accustomed turmoil, the Press, for which Ireland was the omphalos of the universe, took scant notice. — Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026 In front of me was a black ovoid stone, known as the omphalos, set on the spot in Greek mythology where two eagles loosed by Zeus crossed paths at the earth’s nexus. — Liz Alderman, New York Times, 9 July 2019 Zeus marked the spot with a stone called the omphalos (navel), to signify the location’s centrality. — National Geographic, 12 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for omphalos

Noun

Patterson, who turns 27 on Tuesday, has experience at guard and center, and the 49ers needed a backup at both spots considering Toth’s lingering concussion symptoms.

— Matt Barrows, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
These counties have no hospitals or birth centers providing obstetric care, and no obstetric clinician.

— Kayley Corley, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of center

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 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

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

Still, for the most part, the Sharks now have their nucleus together, with the biggest part, Celebrini, signed on for five more seasons after this one.

— Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026
Sliman was an inspiring part of a nucleus that established the Union of Palestinian Artists, a union that organizationally became part of the Union of Arab Artists.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of nucleus

Noun

This tilt toward Gloria causes the film to lose its way a bit, pulling focus from the more potentially vital mentor-disciple dynamic between Ed and the anxious, navel-gazing Meyers.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
In the center of the room, a few feet from the spiral staircase covered in chili pepper string lights, a dozen people simmered in the navel-high spa waters of a cylindrical tub.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of navel

Noun

Even aside from the war games, chips seem to have become a locus of secrecy and international intrigue.

— Rakesh Kumar, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026
Casablanca is another clear reference point for an episode in which a café serves as a locus of intrigue for a resistance group fighting against oppressive invaders.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of locus

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“Omphalos.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/omphalos. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of omphalos

noun

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