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

Relevance
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
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
  • Gakpo staying means that Liverpool have proper cover for Isak through the middle until Hugo Ekitike returns from his Achilles injury around the midway point of the campaign.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The trailer opens with Castro’s character, the recently widowed Roberto, waking up to a phone call in the middle of the night to news that one of his sons has tried to kill himself.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 2 Sep. 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
  • The latest court decisions, however, have focused on whether Shirilla's postconviction petition was filed on time rather than the merits of those arguments.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • It's all captured in the new documentary Handmade Future, directed by Kirsten Dickerson, the cofounder of Artist & Nomad, a social-impact business focused on craft.
    — Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of focus
Noun
  • The bank expects power networks to account for roughly one-third of group profits by 2029, up from 23% in 2025, which would help cut capital costs.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • This influences how capital is allocated, which capabilities are funded, what risks are accepted, and whether growth translates into sustainable cash flow and returns.
    — Kumar Rupesh, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of capital
Noun
  • Now, in the midst of a subdued market, investors are being more selective, and the new playbook for funding fashion has a lot to do with the quality of that growth, the depth of connection with customers and the founder’s individual appeal.
    — Tara Donaldson, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
  • While the Anaheim Ducks, located a stone’s throw from Angel Stadium, are in the midst of a massive refurbishment project, the area surrounding the baseball stadium is largely dormant.
    — Sam Blum, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of midst
Verb
  • Uber is also combining more teams and concentrating more employees in hubs like New York and San Francisco.
    — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Most cases were not near Pittsburgh but were instead concentrated in Lancaster County, which reported 227 infections.
    — Finch Walker, USA Today, 2 Sep. 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Center.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/center. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All