cardinal

Synonym Chooser

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 It has often been said that cardinal electors would always shy away from choosing an American pope due to the outsized global political influence of the United States. Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 9 May 2025 Another is going to tell something from the conclave of cardinal electors (essentially sworn to secrecy) who met in the Sistine Chapel to ... Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review, 19 May 2025 In reviewing his record, the cardinal electors might have taken a number of factors into account. Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 9 May 2025 Parolin, 70, worked closely with Pope Francis and served as his cardinal secretary of state. Hannah Parry amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for cardinal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cardinal
Adjective
  • One voter in Greenwich Village told ABC News that concerns about antisemitism were a main driver for his decision to vote for Cuomo.
    Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 24 June 2025
  • The investment firm said Advanced Auto Parts might be losing market share to its main rivals and that the stock appears to be trading at an extended valuation.
    Fred Imbert, CNBC, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Disclosure data shows that more than a dozen lawyers and paralegals with the New York Legal Assistance Group made cash contributions to Mamdani’s campaign ahead of the primary election.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 29 June 2025
  • The second floor has the primary suite, which is large and has a private balcony that overlooks the grounds.
    James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • Rivera is especially excited by the National Music Theater Conference this year since truly original work is developed there in contrast to the predominant commercial theater trend of basing musicals closely on classic movies or novels.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2025
  • That is clearly what happened in this redistricting in Louisiana where race was the predominant factor used to draw congressional boundaries.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • The 22-year-old is fresh off a dominant senior season and is widely regarded as one of the top quarterback prospects of his respective class.
    Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
  • Yang said the hybrid ants have become the explorers and front guard for the fire ant invasion into colder and more northerly areas, becoming the dominant fire ant species in the upper elevations of Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia.
    Gareth McGrath, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • Giard grew up to become both a voracious reader (with a B.A. in English and American literature from Yale and an M.A. in comparative literature from Boston University) and a foremost chronicler of writers.
    Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 28 June 2025
  • One of the Jet Propulsion Lab’s foremost scientists says the futuristic outpost is still hoping against hope that the president’s plan for NASA will be overturned by Congress.
    Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • Investors’ principal concerns are oil supplies and non-oil shipping.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 23 June 2025
  • Clearly, Desert Storm represents a successful example of using airpower as the principal instrument of war, with ground forces in a supporting role.
    David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Clement swung and missed as González recorded his first major-league strikeout.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025
  • This is not the first time the council has approved increasing ticket prices.
    Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • His commitment gives Michigan its biggest recruiting win of the summer so far and another head-to-head victory against the Crimson Tide, the program Michigan beat in bowl games the past two years.
    Austin Meek, New York Times, 24 June 2025
  • Heading into mandatory minicamp, the biggest story for the Commanders was a player who was not on the field.
    Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cardinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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