as in centers
a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest
during the 1980s Silicon Valley became the capital of the computer industry
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Recent Examples of capitals
Few capitals boast as dramatic a setting as Santiago, Chile, which is squished between the Chilean Coast Range and some of the highest mountains in the Andes.
—
Mark Johanson, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 May 2026
The altar was flanked by two twelve-foot-high columns of green marble topped by Corinthian capitals supporting a larger, curved pediment, next to which were two oversize American flags set into floor stands.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Dubai is one of the world's skyscraper capitals, with many other high-profile projects planned for the Arab Emirate, including several by Mercedes-Benz, MVRDV, and even the Chelsea soccer club.
—Adam Williams
may 13, New Atlas, 13 May 2026
Often compared to European capitals, the city is known for its wide boulevards, historic architecture, and vibrant café culture, reflecting its long history as a center of immigration and cultural exchange.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 May 2026
The economic effects are most apparent in the chipmaking capitals of the world.
—Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
After covering the major European fashion capitals, Autry is taking its rapidly developing retail expansion to the marquee resort destination of Cannes.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
The longer-range missiles under development in Iran can hit European capitals.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
Even in areas not under its direct control, the widespread sympathy in rural areas allows JNIM to set up ambushes along the main roads and dominate the main supply routes into the capitals, especially in Mali.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2026
Mark Johanson, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 May 2026
The altar was flanked by two twelve-foot-high columns of green marble topped by Corinthian capitals supporting a larger, curved pediment, next to which were two oversize American flags set into floor stands.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Dubai is one of the world's skyscraper capitals, with many other high-profile projects planned for the Arab Emirate, including several by Mercedes-Benz, MVRDV, and even the Chelsea soccer club.
—Adam Williams
may 13, New Atlas, 13 May 2026
Often compared to European capitals, the city is known for its wide boulevards, historic architecture, and vibrant café culture, reflecting its long history as a center of immigration and cultural exchange.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 May 2026
The economic effects are most apparent in the chipmaking capitals of the world.
—Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
After covering the major European fashion capitals, Autry is taking its rapidly developing retail expansion to the marquee resort destination of Cannes.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
The longer-range missiles under development in Iran can hit European capitals.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
Even in areas not under its direct control, the widespread sympathy in rural areas allows JNIM to set up ambushes along the main roads and dominate the main supply routes into the capitals, especially in Mali.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for capitals
Noun
-
That fear, in 2026, centers on how rapid information exchange and artificial intelligence are reshaping human thought into something collective and homogenized.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 May 2026
-
The late Pope Francis famously stayed away from the big European centers of Christianity during his 12-year pontificate, preferring instead to visit small Catholic communities far from Rome.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
The airlift will then continue to take remaining passengers to one of more than a dozen Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers, regional hubs focused on special pathogen readiness.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
-
Gas prices have shot up by more than 50%, according to some metrics, and airline ticket prices over the last two months have been surging at major airports while smaller hubs, like Hollywood Burbank, are canceling trips altogether.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Noun
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With one day left to declare candidacy in the race for Los Angeles mayor, all eyes are on Rick Caruso, the billionaire developer behind outdoor shopping meccas like The Grove.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Feb. 2026
-
After all, the Moroccan city is one of the world's great shopping meccas.—
Elizabeth Cantrell,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Cipriano, Kalyn and Brooks round out the cast as Garrett's best friends, housemates and hockey teammates, Logan, Dean and Tucker, respectively, all of whom are the focuses of the next three books in Kennedy's series.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
-
In its announcement Thursday, the Lucas has revealed the thematic compositions of the majority of these galleries, which range from focuses on specific artists to medium-specific hangs.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
With its sarong, curve-enhancing silhouette, and scooped neckline, the little red dress is enough to stop hearts, take breath away, and provide CPR all at once.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
11 May 2026
-
This one, from the chef Perfecte Rocher (now cooking in San Diego), makes the most of spring delights, including fava beans and artichoke hearts.—
Carolynn Carreño,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Fusion—uniting small atomic nuclei into larger ones—promises more abundant, cleaner energy once scientists perfect it.—
Faye Flam,
Scientific American,
7 May 2026
-
In turn, the nvPM concentration, or soot nuclei, decreased by about 35 percent.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Capitals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capitals. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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