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
His cardinal crime, after leading the Yankees into the World Series with a monster offensive season and a clutch ALCS home run, was to turn down three quarters of a billion from the Steinbrenners and go across the bridge to the Mets for a few million more from Steve Cohen, and a few perks.
—
Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2025
To make a convincing base for a virgin margarita, break the cardinal rules of a good cuppa by steeping the tea leaves too long and giving them a good hard squeeze at the end.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025
Cardinal Daniel Nicholas DiNardo among cardinal electors One of just 10 American cardinal electors, Ohio native Cardinal Daniel Nicholas DiNardo will participate in the process to elect the next pope.
—Alex Perry, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
But part of political talent is recognizing an opportunity, and Mamdani saw three things clearly: that the cost of living had surpassed public safety as the city’s cardinal issue, that fortune favors the relentless, and that generational change, however belated, was eventually bound to come.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for cardinal
Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2025
To make a convincing base for a virgin margarita, break the cardinal rules of a good cuppa by steeping the tea leaves too long and giving them a good hard squeeze at the end.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025
Cardinal Daniel Nicholas DiNardo among cardinal electors One of just 10 American cardinal electors, Ohio native Cardinal Daniel Nicholas DiNardo will participate in the process to elect the next pope.
—Alex Perry, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
But part of political talent is recognizing an opportunity, and Mamdani saw three things clearly: that the cost of living had surpassed public safety as the city’s cardinal issue, that fortune favors the relentless, and that generational change, however belated, was eventually bound to come.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for cardinal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cardinal
Adjective
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The report outlined three main policy goals: improving student literacy, strengthening the teacher workforce, and empowering parents.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Aug. 2025
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Blood of My Blood tells the origin stories of the Outlander main characters' families, in this epic romantic drama.—
H. Alan Scott,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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With Van de Ven and Cristian Romero established as Spurs’ primary partnership in central defence, Vuskovic may struggle to supplant that duo for the biggest games.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
16 Aug. 2025
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The 449-foot blast, his second longest of the year, moved Goodman within three homers of matching the club record by a primary catcher (Wilin Rosario’s 28 in 2012).—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The other predominant design component is that her outdoor space is divided into multiple functional private spaces around the house.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Aug. 2025
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The predominant effect that this law will have is to prevent law-abiding citizens from purchasing their preferred firearm.—
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Here is what to keep an eye out for as the Premier League makes its return. Champions at a canter last time out, Liverpool have embarked on the kind of spending spree the most dominant teams in the Premier League seldom indulge in.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Overall, the Steelers defense has often been dominant against the first-team offense in camp.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
James DiNardo,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Cornell was the foremost beneficiary of the Morrill Act Both Cornell University and the University of Wisconsin are land-grant universities that profited from lands taken from Indigenous nations, as did at least 50 other universities throughout the U.S.—
Frank Vaisvilas,
jsonline.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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An all-star British supporting cast, including Naomi Ackie, Daniel Mays, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Tom Ellis, Jonathan Pryce, David Tennant, and Richard E. Grant, joins the four principal actors in The Thursday Murder Club, which was helmed by Home Alone director Chris Columbus.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
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Hazlett helped open an international school in Vietnam as principal before returning to Tampa in 2019 to serve as magnet lead at Leto High School.—
Alexa Coultoff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Scientists at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia in Barcelona have recorded footage of a key stage of human development in real time, and in 3D, for the first time.—
Leslie Katz,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
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Luis Quiñones #23 of UANL Tigres controls the ball against Emilio Lara (L) #23 of América during the first half of the Campeon de Campeones final at Dignity Health Sports Park on June 30, 2024 in Carson, California.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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After a rough start on floor, Hang roared back with a clean and powerful vault, good for a big 14.050.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
9 Aug. 2025
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This recipe has all of the rich flavors from the original with bigger portions for the whole family to enjoy.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cardinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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