as in main
coming before all others in importance
the cardinal rule of medicine: do no harm
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Recent Examples of cardinal
This is a short squeeze as hedge funds forgot the cardinal rule: never short something the first 30 days of an IPO.
—
Jim Cramer, CNBC, 27 May 2025
Look, but don’t touch is the cardinal rule at most museums.
—Nevin Martell, USA Today, 27 May 2025
But no betting on baseball was the cardinal rule, and Rose knew it.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
Shred cheese: As always, follow one of the cardinal rules of casserole making in the South: Shred your own cheese.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cardinal
Jim Cramer, CNBC, 27 May 2025
Look, but don’t touch is the cardinal rule at most museums.
—Nevin Martell, USA Today, 27 May 2025
But no betting on baseball was the cardinal rule, and Rose knew it.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
Shred cheese: As always, follow one of the cardinal rules of casserole making in the South: Shred your own cheese.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cardinal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cardinal
Adjective
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The Victorian Joint Counter-Terrorism Team, which includes Victoria state police, federal police and Australia's main domestic spy agency, said the fire was likely a politically motivated attack.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
6 July 2025
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The circular balcony, which looks down on the museum’s main lobby, is festooned with ribbons from the ceremony that took place when the Long Wharf moved from its longtime home on the loading dock to offices in the Audubon arts district.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
6 July 2025
Adjective
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For starters: The Heat returned to what essentially is their primary summer lineup, with Ware back after being held out of Tuesday’s finale of the California Classic.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
11 July 2025
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About one-third of American workers now earn income from a source other than a traditional nine-to-five job, whether this is their primary occupation or a side hustle.—
Liya Palagashvili,
National Review,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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But this is not the predominant architectural style found in all of Cincinnati's neighborhoods, explained Cincinnati Preservation Association executive director Beth Johnson, a working group member.—
Sydney Franklin,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
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There's near universal agreement that pay is a predominant factor in attracting and retaining teachers ― either to other schools or to other professions.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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Vaez says Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — a dominant, multipronged military force — may see this as an opportunity for change.—
Jackie Northam,
NPR,
9 July 2025
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Musk’s presence on X has been so dominant that some users may have forgotten that Yaccarino was technically the CEO.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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First launched in 1985, FIBO has become one of the earth’s foremost fitness and wellness-focused trade shows, with roughly 130,000 participants set to convene in Cologne, Germany in April 2026.—
Jared Ranahan,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
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Ziegler, one of the world’s foremost experts on the history and law of reproductive rights in the U.S., draws on decades of scholarship.—
David L. Coddon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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In general, the tax deduction will decline after the initial year because interest payments on loans are front-loaded, while principal payments grow on the back end.—
Alain Sherter,
CBS News,
14 July 2025
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Once Todd Blanche was confirmed to the post, Bove became principal associate deputy attorney general.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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This is the first time the river has been opened to swimmers since 1923, Reuters reported.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
12 July 2025
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Now, for the first time, researchers from the University of Houston have unearthed a royal tomb in Caracol.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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The speaker explained that conservatives who voted against the rule want the crypto bills -- CLARITY, GENIUS and Anti CBDC Surveillance Act -- combined into one big package, rather than take separate standalone votes on each measure.—
Jay O'Brien,
ABC News,
15 July 2025
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However, there were also some big surprises — including Meghann Fahy scoring her first lead actress nomination for Sirens. Colman Domingo and Uzo Aduba also got some love from Emmy voters.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cardinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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