refocus
Americanverb (used with object)
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to bring (a lens, beam of light, one's gaze, etc.) into focus again or on a new point.
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to concentrate (thought, efforts, or the like) again or on a new task, subject, or target.
verb (used without object)
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of a lens or beam of light, to come into focus again or on a new point.
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to concentrate one's thought, efforts, etc., again or on a new task or subject.
Explanation
The verb refocus means to readjust an optical device. If you are looking at the planets with a telescope, you may have to refocus the telescope to make everything come in clearly. The verb refocus can also mean to change priorities and concentrate on something different from before. When football season finally ends, maybe you will have the opportunity to refocus and concentrate on your studies. Refocus also means to focus anew. If your book club book is boring, you might have to refocus and give it another chance.
Vocabulary lists containing refocus
Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"
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George
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
GM shut down its robotaxi division Cruise to "refocus autonomous driving development on personal vehicles".
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026
Ankara's F-35 exclusion has forced it to refocus on self-sufficiency.
From Barron's ● Jul. 5, 2026
"The plain truth is that we have not been good enough. We must now face the consequences of that failure with honesty, transparency and a determination to repair, refocus and rebuild."
From BBC ● May 24, 2026
If investors can refocus their attention away from the Middle East then Haefele is confident they can redirect it towards the fundamentals that are underpinning the recent rally.
From MarketWatch ● May 8, 2026
It shouldn’t have surprised me that Liam threw himself back into watch duty, but it took a generous amount of coaxing from the others for his mind to refocus on the camps.
From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
