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fundamental

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fundamental different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of fundamental are cardinal, essential, and vital. While all these words mean "so important as to be indispensable," fundamental applies to something that is a foundation without which an entire system or complex whole would collapse.

fundamental principles of algebra

When might cardinal be a better fit than fundamental?

The words cardinal and fundamental can be used in similar contexts, but cardinal suggests something on which an outcome turns or depends.

a cardinal rule in buying a home

When would essential be a good substitute for fundamental?

Although the words essential and fundamental have much in common, 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 vital be used to replace fundamental?

The words vital and fundamental are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 fundamental
Adjective
If curtailed, future executive actions could go into effect in some regions while being blocked in others, leading to inconsistent rule of law and potentially unequal application of fundamental rights. Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025 Decades of research show that the PBS programming helps children learn to read, understand math, stay safe, and absorb fundamental science concepts, adds Ritt-Olson. Sarah Scott, Parents, 15 May 2025
Noun
From there, however, Alcaraz zags where the others zig, inverting one of the fundamentals of tennis probability. Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 15 May 2025 The gulf between Tesla’s $1 trillion market value and its underlying fundamentals like sales and earnings continued to widen after weekly data from China revealed a worrying trend. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fundamental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fundamental
Adjective
  • In addition to abortions, Planned Parenthood clinics offer birth control, pregnancy testing, STD testing, and basic gynecological services.
    Riley Beggin, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • Even Judicial Watch, a conservative legal group known for public records litigation often aimed at uncovering information about Democratic officials and administrations, said it is increasingly being forced to fight in court just to access basic records.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 18 May 2025
Noun
  • But the soul of the Scorpion was not easily vanquished, proving the axiom that driving a slow car fast is better than driving a fast car slow.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2025
  • It’s become a political axiom of sorts that policies championed largely by Democratic city leaders over the past half decade have resulted in rising crime levels.
    Christopher S. Warshaw, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Palpatine returns Though his body may have been destroyed during the Battle of Endor, Palpatine survived in secret for years by transferring his essence to clone bodies.
    Nick Romano, EW.com, 25 May 2025
  • Penny Hotel Williamsburg The intimate Penny Hotel, nestled in Williamsburg's core, perfectly captures the neighborhood's artistic essence.
    Malik Peay, USA Today, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • And no, this doesn't mean turning the office into a place full of rudimentary and shallow perks.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
  • His projections were rudimentary by today’s standards, but at the time were ahead of the curve.
    David Hill, Rolling Stone, 24 May 2025
Noun
  • That violates another maxim commonly taught in families, schools and religious venues everywhere: Those who can should help those in need.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
  • At a place as small as McCabe’s — smaller, even, by far than the El Rey, where Burnett last officially played in 2006 — a statement like that could count as more than just a passing maxim.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • The project represents the state’s largest effort to date to address the environmental problems plaguing the Salton Sea, which has been steadily retreating and leaving growing stretches of dusty lake bottom exposed to the desert winds.
    Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
  • Corday was married to actor Richard Long (Bourbon Street Beat, 77 Sunset Strip, The Big Valley, Nanny and the Professor) from 1957 until his death in 1974 at age 47 from heart problems.
    Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • Last August, the Connecticut State Board of Education approved voluntary guidelines for districts to create their own cellphone policies and recommended restrictions removing cellphones from all elementary and middle school classrooms.
    Nate Iglehart, Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 2025
  • To point out the obvious, Del Mar’s McClurg is paid significantly more than her counterparts at the other local elementary districts.
    Marsha Sutton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Eventually – inevitably – a recession will occur, but the huge 2022-2024 inversion will not have predicted it by the traditional rules of interpretation.
    George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
  • Older people were hit the hardest socially by COVID rules that limited or barred visits from family and friends.
    Joshua Zatulskis, Hartford Courant, 25 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fundamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fundamental. Accessed 31 May. 2025.

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