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
This is really the crux of the issue.
—
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026
The conversation, Alexander notes, speaks to the crux of what the show has tried to do over its seven decades on air.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
All of that is just words if the crux of the car itself isn’t solid.
—New Atlas, 27 Apr. 2026
The desire to merge audiences — younger viewers for the mainstream news groups and broader audiences for the digital upstarts — is at the crux of many of these new agreements, which are expected to get more ambitious as time progresses.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the crux
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Brian Moylan, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026
The conversation, Alexander notes, speaks to the crux of what the show has tried to do over its seven decades on air.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
All of that is just words if the crux of the car itself isn’t solid.
—New Atlas, 27 Apr. 2026
The desire to merge audiences — younger viewers for the mainstream news groups and broader audiences for the digital upstarts — is at the crux of many of these new agreements, which are expected to get more ambitious as time progresses.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
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 1 May. 2026.
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