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

Relevance

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

Janabi said one of the biggest challenges has been persuading those who are infected to seek medical assistance, adding that some deaths occur in the community outside of health centers.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Still, if the new CBS is managing to hold the center in Washington, there’s been a far more dramatic shift in coverage of Israel and Gaza.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of center

Noun

In 2027 the film festival also joins Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival in celebrating eight decades of creativity and bringing audiences together in the Scottish capital.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
As one of the principal gateways into the Saudi capital and a foundation stone of the entire Vision 2030 project, the Houthi attacks on Riyadh’s airport directly threaten the Kingdom’s strategy.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of capital

Noun

Food meccas include Pier 57 (hit Nom Wah for legendary dim sum, or LoLo’s on the Water for the fish fry) and, of course, Chelsea Market (try Miznon’s pita cheeseburger and roasted cauliflower, and Ayada’s mango sticky rice).

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
Rubin’s face followed a skin-first technique beloved by the wider beauty mecca for the last few years.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of mecca

Noun

Culver City explored emergency moratoriums on building permits for AV fleet facilities, while Santa Monica used local noise and traffic ordinances to restrict 24-hour charging hubs.

— Andrew Hawkins, The Verge, 18 Oct. 2026
Those improvements are expected to expand classroom and theater space and create a more centralized hub for students.

— Neil Nakahodo, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of hub

Noun

The Valley has, for many people who live there, gone from a white-collar paradise to a locus of high-stress workaholism and unaffordability.

— Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
There are just fewer children that reside here, and that is not in our locus of control.

— Michael Abeyta, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of locus

Browse Nearby Words

omphali

omphalos

See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

Style

“Omphalos.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/omphalos. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of omphalos

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on omphalos

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes