cardinal

adjective

Definition of cardinalnext
as in main
coming before all others in importance the cardinal rule of medicine: do no harm

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word cardinal different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of cardinal are essential, fundamental, and vital. While all these words mean "so important as to be indispensable," cardinal suggests something on which an outcome turns or depends.

a cardinal rule in buying a home

Where would essential be a reasonable alternative to cardinal?

The meanings of essential and cardinal largely overlap; however, essential implies belonging to the very nature of a thing and therefore being incapable of removal without destroying the thing itself or its character.

conflict is essential in drama

When could fundamental be used to replace cardinal?

The words fundamental and cardinal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fundamental applies to something that is a foundation without which an entire system or complex whole would collapse.

fundamental principles of algebra

When is vital a more appropriate choice than cardinal?

While in some cases nearly identical to cardinal, vital suggests something that is necessary to a thing's continued existence or operation.

cut off from vital supplies

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of cardinal Pope Francis elevated him to be a cardinal Prevost's papal election is a full-circle moment, as the former pope himself elected him to be a cardinal a few years earlier. —Jordana Comiter, People.com, 8 May 2025 The cardinal electors will resume voting on Thursday morning. —Sarah Ventre, NPR, 7 May 2025 Pope Leo appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica on Thursday evening local time after white smoke had billowed from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, signifying the 133 cardinal electors had chosen a new leader for the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 9 May 2025 Here is a regional breakdown of the full 135 cardinal electors, according to Vatican statistics and following the Vatican's geographic grouping. —Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for cardinal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cardinal
  1. main
  2. primary
  3. predominant
  4. dominant
  5. foremost
  6. principal
  7. first
  8. big
Adjective
  • Homelessness is certainly a major problem, said Julie Hayden, CEO of the East County Transitional Living Center, the area’s main shelter.
    — Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025
  • The golden flying snake bears two main color morphs — a green-yellow form sports bold black streaks and occasional reddish dorsal spots, and another form where the same base hues are overlaid with subtler crossbars.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Definition of main
Adjective
  • In the place of Gantu, the character Jumba instead assumes the primary villain status in the remake.
    — Benjamin VanHoose, People.com, 24 May 2025
  • David Hogg, a Democratic National Committee vice chairman, has elevated his national profile but risked his standing in the DNC for promising to primary older incumbents in Congress.
    — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 24 May 2025
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • Mercantilism had been the predominant economic model of the prior two centuries, advocating for trade surpluses with all nations.
    — Sarah Keohane Williamson, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • Fedde was using a steady four-pitch mix, with his sinker being the predominant pitch.
    — Katie Woo, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Definition of predominant
Adjective
  • Yet mainstream culture is no longer dominant there: The media outlets and public figures are now punch lines for the site’s main characters, Musk and his MAGA acolytes.
    — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025
  • But perhaps the most dominant aspect of the win came on the defensive end.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
Definition of dominant
Adjective
  • Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
    — Mark Morgan, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • Cruise emerged as Hollywood's foremost advocate for the theatrical experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, when theaters across the globe were staring down an uncertain future.
    — Randall Colburn, EW.com, 22 May 2025
Definition of foremost
Adjective
  • Any of the handful of candidates Collins and principal owner Scott Malkin spoke to this past month would have represented a monumental change for an organization whose last two GMs were hired after one-person searches.
    — Arthur Staple, New York Times, 30 May 2025
  • The prison drama — set to start principal photography in Ireland later this year — explores the ideas of guilt, the death penalty, and redemption, all through the lens of food of the highest order, and the world’s most infamous meal: the Ortolan.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 29 May 2025
Definition of principal
Adjective
  • Neither was the British version of The Office, which launched in 2001, though that was among the first television series to run with it.
    — Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 25 May 2025
  • Christian Walker dressed, dwelled and debriefed there for the first 49 games of his Astros tenure.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 25 May 2025
Definition of first
Adjective
  • Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published.
    — Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 31 May 2025
  • The judge will be left to decide how the company should be punished, concluding the biggest tech antitrust case in 25 years.
    — Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 30 May 2025
Definition of big

Phrases Containing cardinal

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carded
cardinal
cardinal virtue
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Cite this Entry

“Cardinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cardinal

Nglish: Translation of cardinal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cardinal

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