the crux
noun
: the most important part of something (such as a problem, issue, puzzle, etc.)
—usually + of
The crux of the matter is that people are afraid of change.
It's taken a while to get to the crux of the problem, but I think I finally understand it.
Examples of the crux in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The pairing of dopamine and acetylcholine is the crux of the study.
—
Elana Spivack, Popular Science, 19 Mar. 2025
The board shakeup comes days after Pulte was confirmed to his post to lead the FHFA, the agency that sits at the crux of the US housing market, with oversight of Fannie and Freddie Mac.
—Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025
Wolf says that at the crux of the issue is a need for more regulation to prevent and track mistakes, and better enforcement in the event of an error.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2025
Getting to maybe the crux of the matter, Austin said,
Ladies and gentlemen, the power of the United States military flows from both our people and our principles.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 20 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the crux
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.
Elana Spivack, Popular Science, 19 Mar. 2025
The board shakeup comes days after Pulte was confirmed to his post to lead the FHFA, the agency that sits at the crux of the US housing market, with oversight of Fannie and Freddie Mac.
—Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025
Wolf says that at the crux of the issue is a need for more regulation to prevent and track mistakes, and better enforcement in the event of an error.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2025
Getting to maybe the crux of the matter, Austin said,
Ladies and gentlemen, the power of the United States military flows from both our people and our principles.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 20 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the crux
Cite this Entry
“The crux.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20crux. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share