1
as in main
coming before all others in importance
the central theme of the book
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in middle
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in moderate
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in center
a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest
a health club that has become dating central for singles in the area
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 central
John Werner, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2025
The country's total fertility rate, or the average number of children a woman is expected to have, fell to 1.15 in 2024 from 1.2 the previous year, despite extensive local and central government incentives, and some of the world's most generous parental leave policies.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Progressives want Democrats to do more to make the detention of Khalil central in their battle against the Trump administration, seeing it as touching on their key values to appeal to voters lost in the last election.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for central
Adjective
Sure, the work on NANDA takes place in the context of other protocols like A2A and, famously, MCP, but since those other projects are tied to leading AI companies, why not involve academia in something so central to future interface design?
—John Werner, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2025
The country's total fertility rate, or the average number of children a woman is expected to have, fell to 1.15 in 2024 from 1.2 the previous year, despite extensive local and central government incentives, and some of the world's most generous parental leave policies.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
As the World Cup approaches, with Vancouver central to the country’s role in hosting it, the Whitecaps are mirroring Canada’s national team in more ways than one.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Progressives want Democrats to do more to make the detention of Khalil central in their battle against the Trump administration, seeing it as touching on their key values to appeal to voters lost in the last election.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for central
Recent Examples of Synonyms for central
Adjective
-
His main ride is a blue 2005 TJ with a four-inch lift and some other add-ons.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
USA Today,
24 Aug. 2025
-
The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Ford and Chevrolet were near the middle and Stellantis brands Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler and Ram occupied the bottom four of the 16 mass market slots, with Ram seeing the most significant decline from last year.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
-
While on the road - Opt for the middle lanes and remain on higher ground.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
It was determined that rainbow trout suffer ten minutes of moderate to intense pain between extraction from the water and unconsciousness from asphyxiation and that every dollar spent on electrical-stunning technology could avert between 60 and 1,200 minutes of moderate to extreme fish pain.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
-
The majority of adults now recognize even moderate drinking is harmful.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Two Michigan government buildings ranked as some of the ugliest in the nation, with Flint's municipal center — a National Register of Historic places nominee — topping the list of ugly buildings.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Nvidia is still being questioned as the center of the bubble without ever being labeled as such.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
Adjective
-
Only two of Swift’s albums appear below the halfway mark on the 200-spot ranking.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
As Phoenix passes the halfway mark of this year’s monsoon, dramatic downpours, gusty haboobs and streaks of lightning across the sky have been mostly absent.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The business Facebook page is dominated by promotions for its music and dancing, starting at 9 p.m. The restaurant, where traditional Peruvian entrées are priced at $16-$18, closes at 9.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
The Enquirer,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Folks fill empty totes and baskets with loaves of the traditional bread ($15), and for good reason.—
Rachel Bernhard,
jsonline.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Federal troops are patrolling the National Mall and neighborhoods across Washington while President Donald Trump’s administration exerts extraordinary power over law enforcement in the nation’s capital.—
John Seewer,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
-
The 12th-century castle was commissioned by William the Conqueror, and more than 900 Norman artifacts have been loaned by the British Museum to create its first medieval gallery outside of the UK capital.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Central.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/central. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share