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
Four causeways in the cardinal directions connect the mainland to a central plaza, which contains two sacrificial temples.
—
Big Think, 1 Apr. 2026
The cardinal tetra is one of the most popular pet fish in the world.
—Jeff Guo, NPR, 18 Mar. 2026
But panic-selling violates two or three cardinal rules of investing.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
The design once enjoyed by Javanese nobility references the sacred Javanese architectural vernacular style of saka guru, which represents the cardinal directions and has spiritual significance too.
—Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cardinal
Big Think, 1 Apr. 2026
The cardinal tetra is one of the most popular pet fish in the world.
—Jeff Guo, NPR, 18 Mar. 2026
But panic-selling violates two or three cardinal rules of investing.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
The design once enjoyed by Javanese nobility references the sacred Javanese architectural vernacular style of saka guru, which represents the cardinal directions and has spiritual significance too.
—Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cardinal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cardinal
Adjective
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Plenty of helpful signs are posted throughout, and main paths traverse the park.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
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This intersection between kitchens and spirits spills over from main courses into desserts too.—
Carinne Geil Botta,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Daniella Segura Click the link below for the USA TODAY Network's California June primary voter guide — registration deadline, ballot drop boxes, early voting, and how to track your ballot through Election Day.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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Meanwhile, about a kilometre away, workers began clearing debris from the old site of the primary-care center, making room for a permanent replacement.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
But a centennial is as good a time as any to fill in what the predominant narrative often leaves out.—
Jasmine Desiree,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
The Caribbean Princess completed an 11-day voyage that had departed on April 28 from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, during which passengers and crew suffered from an outbreak of the highly contagious virus, which has predominant symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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Morrow was especially dominant in the second, putting up 10 points and six rebounds to come just shy of a second straight first-half double-double.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
-
Nadella was referring to an earlier technology era, when Microsoft became more important than IBM, the dominant computer maker at the time.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Cochran gave Bradley credit for that London show and many more that followed, putting him together with Noël Coward, the young George Balanchine, and the man who would become the foremost progenitor of ballet in Britain, Frederick Ashton.—
Brian Seibert,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
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And there’s no one better to portray that than Drucker, who has become one of our foremost portrayers of women on the edge.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
All the principal characters eventually converge there before being chased out onto a mountain highway.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
-
In fact, that’s the principal rap against GE Vernova.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
The goal, Cogan’s first in over two years, set up a winner-takes-all third period and another remarkable moment from Poulin in the biggest PWHL game of her career.—
Hailey Salvian,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
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The bill, which was supported by nurses, teachers, construction workers and service employees in Connecticut, is one of the biggest victories for organized labor in the state in recent years.—
Andrew Brown,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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In his first title race against Manchester City, there was a reluctance from the Arsenal boss to make changes at key moments that sapped momentum away from his side.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
Mike Yastrzemski drove in three, including two on his first homer of the season as part of a four-run fifth, and the Braves beat the Cubs 5-2 in the opener of a three-game series at Truist Park.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cardinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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