refocus

verb

re·​fo·​cus (ˌ)rē-ˈfō-kəs How to pronounce refocus (audio)
refocused; refocusing; refocuses
Synonyms of refocusnext

transitive verb

1
: to focus again
2
: to change the emphasis or direction of
had refocused his life

intransitive verb

1
: to focus something again
2
: to change emphasis or direction

Examples of refocus in a Sentence

She refocused her energies toward a career in music. He needs to refocus his attention on his schoolwork. Sports are not a priority now. You need to refocus and improve your grades.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
White also calls Will Ospreay a fraud before refocusing on reuniting his group. — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 If the former shows a reduction in the rate, however, then the latter could be refocused on a rate cut, even if the current odds of an actual reduction appear slim now. — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 24 June 2026 Plants grow to a certain height and stop growing, refocusing their energy on the second stage of development—flowering and fruiting. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 16 June 2026 Eventually, Scott put them in school to refocus on her writing and to avoid isolating them from peers because of their family’s wealth, a close friend told Vogue. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for refocus

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1865, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of refocus was circa 1865

Rhymes for refocus

See All Rhymes for refocus

Browse Nearby Words

refocillate
refocus
refold
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Refocus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refocus. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

refocus

transitive verb
re·​fo·​cus (ˈ)rē-ˈfō-kəs How to pronounce refocus (audio)
: to focus again

intransitive verb

: to focus something again

More from Merriam-Webster on refocus

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for refocus

Nglish: Translation of refocus for Spanish Speakers

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