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
Prospero’s story is a powerful one, and South of Midnight ends on a suitably-thorny note, which drives home the crux of its refreshingly sincere narrative.
—
Sarah Thwaites, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2025
The Key Message: Use those seconds to formulate the crux of your response.
—Bala Sathyanarayanan, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Oftentimes, the crux of the race occurs when one cyclist can generate just a few more watts than his or her foe on one of these short climbs.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 2 Apr. 2025
If Dan Burn’s goal and elevation to the England squad became the individual story of the weekend and Isak’s goal carried a tang of inevitability — so good, so unstoppable — then Newcastle’s midfield felt like the crux of it.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the crux
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Sarah Thwaites, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2025
The Key Message: Use those seconds to formulate the crux of your response.
—Bala Sathyanarayanan, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Oftentimes, the crux of the race occurs when one cyclist can generate just a few more watts than his or her foe on one of these short climbs.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 2 Apr. 2025
If Dan Burn’s goal and elevation to the England squad became the individual story of the weekend and Isak’s goal carried a tang of inevitability — so good, so unstoppable — then Newcastle’s midfield felt like the crux of it.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 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 23 Apr. 2025.
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