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
It has often been said that cardinal electors would always shy away from choosing an American pope due to the outsized global political influence of the United States.
—
Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
Another is going to tell something from the conclave of cardinal electors (essentially sworn to secrecy) who met in the Sistine Chapel to ...
—Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review, 19 May 2025
In reviewing his record, the cardinal electors might have taken a number of factors into account.
—Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 9 May 2025
Parolin, 70, worked closely with Pope Francis and served as his cardinal secretary of state.
—Hannah Parry
amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cardinal
Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
Another is going to tell something from the conclave of cardinal electors (essentially sworn to secrecy) who met in the Sistine Chapel to ...
—Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review, 19 May 2025
In reviewing his record, the cardinal electors might have taken a number of factors into account.
—Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 9 May 2025
Parolin, 70, worked closely with Pope Francis and served as his cardinal secretary of state.
—Hannah Parry
amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cardinal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cardinal
Adjective
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When the United States launched a war against Mexico in 1846, for example, a main legal justification was Mexico’s unpaid debts.—
Oona A. Hathaway,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
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In the women's division, UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey had a landmark run, holding the Raw Women's Championship and co-headlining the first all-female WrestleMania main event.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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Disclosure data shows that more than a dozen lawyers and paralegals with the New York Legal Assistance Group made cash contributions to Mamdani’s campaign ahead of the primary election.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
29 June 2025
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The second floor has the primary suite, which is large and has a private balcony that overlooks the grounds.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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The June 10 vote by the nation’s largest Protestant denomination represents a doubling down on issues of gender and sexuality as the predominant group of evangelical Christians signals the SBC’s hopes of replicating the successful campaign to overturn Roe v. Wade.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
12 June 2025
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The predominant toxin associated with FHB infections in the United States is deoxynivalenol (DON), which is also known as vomitoxin because consumption can cause vomiting.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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The 22-year-old is fresh off a dominant senior season and is widely regarded as one of the top quarterback prospects of his respective class.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 June 2025
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The past two years made clear that Israel, with U.S. help, is the dominant military force.—
Greg Myre,
NPR,
28 June 2025
Adjective
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One of the Jet Propulsion Lab’s foremost scientists says the futuristic outpost is still hoping against hope that the president’s plan for NASA will be overturned by Congress.—
Kevin Holden Platt,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
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Giard grew up to become both a voracious reader (with a B.A. in English and American literature from Yale and an M.A. in comparative literature from Boston University) and a foremost chronicler of writers.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
28 June 2025
Adjective
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Investors’ principal concerns are oil supplies and non-oil shipping.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
23 June 2025
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Clearly, Desert Storm represents a successful example of using airpower as the principal instrument of war, with ground forces in a supporting role.—
David A. Deptula,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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The first helicopter airline in Greece, hoper, has added four new destinations to its route map: Ios, Syros, Anafi and Porto Heli.—
Ramsey Qubein,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
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This is not the first time the council has approved increasing ticket prices.—
Jasmine Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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His commitment gives Michigan its biggest recruiting win of the summer so far and another head-to-head victory against the Crimson Tide, the program Michigan beat in bowl games the past two years.—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
24 June 2025
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Heading into mandatory minicamp, the biggest story for the Commanders was a player who was not on the field.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cardinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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