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
At the crux of Adams’s lawsuit is how much latitude canvassers have to scrutinize the results they are required to certify.
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Colby Itkowitz, Washington Post, 26 June 2024
Julian Assange pleads guilty at hearing in the Northern Mariana Islands: Report
At the crux of this race was the candidates' stances on the Israel-Hamas war and their relationships with local groups as well as Bowman’s characterization of AIPAC’s buckets of spending.
—Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 25 June 2024
Rather, the crux of the United States’ energy vulnerability was its inability to keep the price of oil under control, given the Arab oil kingdoms’ stranglehold on the global petroleum supply.
—Gal Luft, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2013
Tunnel looks have been the crux of the men’s fashion conversation for roughly five years.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 7 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for the crux 
Colby Itkowitz, Washington Post, 26 June 2024
Julian Assange pleads guilty at hearing in the Northern Mariana Islands: Report
At the crux of this race was the candidates' stances on the Israel-Hamas war and their relationships with local groups as well as Bowman’s characterization of AIPAC’s buckets of spending.
—Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 25 June 2024
Rather, the crux of the United States’ energy vulnerability was its inability to keep the price of oil under control, given the Arab oil kingdoms’ stranglehold on the global petroleum supply.
—Gal Luft, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2013
Tunnel looks have been the crux of the men’s fashion conversation for roughly five years.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 7 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for the crux
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the crux.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“The crux.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20crux. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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