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 The cardinal rule of relativity is that there’s a speed limit to the Universe, the speed of light, that nothing can break. Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 14 Aug. 2025 Never Share Sensitive Workplace Data With AI Tools The cardinal rule is simple. Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025 It is heavily guarded because the cardinal rule of the place is that there is no violence. Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2025 King arrived at the event in a pair of Manolo Blahnik‘s Corintia 90mm pumps in a bright cardinal red hue, which were a flattering contrast to the cobalt blue carpet. Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for cardinal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cardinal
Adjective
  • The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which has organized dozens of boats to sail to Gaza carrying humanitarian aid, said that one of its main vessels was targeted in a drone strike just after midnight local time on Tuesday while docked near the Tunisian capital.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Tribhuvan International Airport, the country's main international airport, was also shut down due to smoke in the area.
    Juliana Kim, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Given the steep, rocky terrain and limited dozer access, hand crews and aviation resources will remain the primary suppression tools.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Charlotte voters will finalize their primary picks for mayor and City Council on Tuesday.
    Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • My research looked more at what happened peripherally in muscles, but the predominant model had the brain at the top.
    Sara Giordano, The Conversation, 4 Sep. 2025
  • With global supplies heavily concentrated, most notably under China’s predominant influence, the risks of disruption due to trade restrictions or geopolitical tensions loom large.
    Sahit Muja, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This particular finding presents a more nuanced framing of gun violence and challenges dominant narratives about Chicago’s violence that have plagued the city’s reputation for decades.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Google’s browser is now even more dominant, increasing its share to more than 70%.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
    Agni Ghosh, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Now, one of the family’s foremost talents has struck out on her own, pioneering a new roster of wines that reflect her own passions and interests.
    Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Shield Seniors is divided into four principal sections.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Stern is perhaps best known for being the principal investigator of NASA's New Horizons mission, which was the first to fly by Pluto in 2015 before venturing on to do studies of other small bodies in the Kuiper Belt.
    Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The brand is expected to introduce four new smartphones, including the first ever iPhone to come with the Air branding.
    James Peckham, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The last time a club from the nation featured in the competition was in 1991-92, when Dundalk lost to our old friends Budapest Honved in the first round.
    Will Jeanes, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The bowl is big, almost as wide across as a soccer ball.
    Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
  • There were big donations for conservation efforts, including donations to help protect the Vjosa River in Albania.
    David Gelles, Time, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cardinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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