central

central

adjective

Definition of CENTRAL

1

coming before all others in importance <the central theme of the book>

Synonyms arch, big, capital, cardinal, central, chief, dominant, first, grand, great, greatest, highest, key, leading, main, master, number one (also No. 1), numero uno, overbearing, overmastering, overriding, paramount, predominant, preeminent, premier, primal, primary, principal, prior, sovereign (also sovran), supreme

Related Words distinguished, eminent, illustrious, noble, notable, noteworthy, outstanding, prestigious, signal, star, stellar, superior; high-level, senior, top; important, influential, major, mighty, momentous, significant; incomparable, matchless, unequaled (or unequalled), unparalleled, unsurpassed; celebrated, famed, famous, renowned

Near Antonyms inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, minor, negligible, slight, trifling, trivial, unimportant; collateral, inferior, secondary, subordinate, subsidiary

Antonyms last, least

2

occupying a position equally distant from the ends or extremes <will hold the conference in the central part of the country in order to encourage delegates from both coasts>

Synonyms central, halfway, intermediary, intermediate, medial, median, mediate, medium, mid, midmost

Related Words equidistant; inmost, inner, innermost, nearest; betwixt and between, borderline, gray (also grey), in-between

Near Antonyms outer, peripheral

Antonyms extreme, farthest, farthermost, furthermost, furthest, outermost, outmost, remotest, utmost

3

avoiding major social change or extreme political ideas <with all of the attention being paid to the party's right and left wings, the vast central core has been largely ignored>

Synonyms central, centrist, middle-of-the-road

Related Words conventional, nonrevolutionary, orthodox, traditional; levelheaded, rational, reasonable, sensible; neutral

Near Antonyms excessive; conservative, reactionary, rightist; leftist, liberal, progressive; fanatic (or fanatical), rabid, subversive, violent; agitating, exciting, fomenting, incendiary, inciting, inflammatory, instigating, provocative, provoking; rabble-rousing; dissenting

Antonyms extremist, radical, revolutionary, revolutionist, ultra