Antonyms for focus


Grammar : Noun, verb
Spell : foh-kuhs
Phonetic Transcription : ˈfoʊ kəs


Definition of focus

Origin :
  • 1640s, from Latin focus "hearth, fireplace" (also, figuratively, "home, family"), of unknown origin, used in post-classical times for "fire" itself, taken by Kepler (1604) in a mathematical sense for "point of convergence," perhaps on analogy of the burning point of a lens (the purely optical sense of the word may have existed before Kepler, but it is not recorded). Introduced into English 1650s by Hobbes. Sense transfer to "center of activity or energy" is first recorded 1796.
  • noun center of attraction
  • verb aim attention at
Example sentences :
  • This gives it leverage, or focus for the outworking of its forces.
  • Extract from : « Understanding the Scriptures » by Francis McConnell
  • For the first time Kingozi's careless, candid stare narrowed to a focus.
  • Extract from : « The Leopard Woman » by Stewart Edward White
  • All outside the focus of the dancers turned gray--goom, zup!
  • Extract from : « The Leopard Woman » by Stewart Edward White
  • The far-reaching plains to the west offered him too wide a focus.
  • Extract from : « The Law-Breakers » by Ridgwell Cullum
  • He changed the focus—they were gone before he could get their images sharp.
  • Extract from : « Two Thousand Miles Below » by Charles Willard Diffin
  • But she was hopelessly out of focus by this time, and it was weary work getting her in.
  • Extract from : « Lotus Buds » by Amy Carmichael
  • Yet she and daily life were out of focus; one or the other must show blurred.
  • Extract from : « Howards End » by E. M. Forster
  • His decision was brought to a focus by the help of Mrs. Worth Buckley.
  • Extract from : « Galusha the Magnificent » by Joseph C. Lincoln
  • A moment they sharpened in their gaze as he brought his visitor into focus.
  • Extract from : « Captain Blood » by Rafael Sabatini
  • He reached a chair placed in the focus of the gathering, which sat in a semicircle.
  • Extract from : « The Historical Nights' Entertainment » by Rafael Sabatini

Synonyms for focus

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019