epicenter
5 synonyms for epicenter, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The point on the earth's surface directly above the underground spot where an earthquake begins.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun American spelling; British 'epicentre'
The point on the earth's surface directly above the underground spot where an earthquake begins.
“The epicenter was located twelve miles offshore.”
How to use epicenter
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
The figurative sense is fully established in journalism but is sometimes criticised in formal writing.
Etymology
From Greek epi ('upon') plus kentron ('centre'), literally the point upon the centre.
Full origin of epicenter →