cardinal

adjective

Definition of cardinalnext
as in main
coming before all others in importance the cardinal rule of medicine: do no harm

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 First as cardinal and then as pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI worked to heal the SSPX schism and bring the group back under Rome’s wing. — ABC News, 1 July 2026 The couple followed a cardinal rule of investing. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 28 June 2026 In our guide to caring for hydrangeas, our Editors list pruning with care as the cardinal rule in hydrangea maintenance. — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 24 June 2026 Newport’s cardinal rule is to position the tallest item on the left side of the room whenever possible. — Natasha Bazika, Martha Stewart, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cardinal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cardinal
  1. main
  2. primary
  3. predominant
  4. dominant
  5. foremost
  6. principal
  7. big
  8. first
Adjective
  • Al-Hilal is keen to offload the player, who is training separately from their main squad and not in coach Simoene Inzaghi's plans.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The Nazca Lines, ​enormous drawings and ⁠geometric figures etched into desert plains in the south of the country, are one of Peru’s main tourist destinations, attracting approximately ​100,000 annual visitors.
    — Joe Kottke, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • The company has committed to investing at least $1 billion to construct one roughly 300,000-square-foot facility, but the campus could expand to include up to five primary buildings, officials have said.
    — Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Whether Castillo and Gausman can return to form and help their respective clubs get deep into October will be a primary storyline here the rest of the year.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • While summer is still the predominant season, the average acreage burned in winter, spring and fall have all increased too, according to the analysis.
    — Ignacio Calderon, USA Today, 16 July 2026
  • Repeated, large fires have caused a decline in the predominant species of conifers, the black spruce, shifting what vegetation regrows.
    — Joshua Partlow, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026
Definition of predominant
Adjective
  • But the dominant narrative embraced financial metrics as the solvent for every problem.
    — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Yet even before acquiring Skubal, the Dodgers believed that, if healthy, their pitching staff might be the strongest of this dominant era.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of dominant
Adjective
  • The executions have drawn attention to the ageing death-row population in the US, as well as Florida’s status as the foremost death penalty state.
    — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 16 July 2026
  • Among the most significant was the signing of a Letter of Intent between the Bharat Tex Trade Federation (BTTF) and Première Vision Paris, one of the world’s foremost textile and fashion sourcing platforms.
    — Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 15 July 2026
Definition of foremost
Adjective
  • At his first principal assignment, Hammocks Middle, Villalobos was commended for engaging parents, essentially resurrecting the school’s PTSA.
    — Austin Horn July 30, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • The buck technically stops with individual maintainers, not any of these companies themselves, but as noted above, some of the principal maintainers currently work at Anthropic.
    — Samuel Axon, ArsTechnica, 30 July 2026
Definition of principal
Adjective
  • In the afternoon, book a spot at one of Copenhagen’s many hot tub experiences; some favorites include Hottub Copenhagen and CopenHot, the biggest outdoor spa in Denmark.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Canales had prepped the crowd beforehand that this was going to happen, so Asher’s appearance drew the biggest cheer of the evening.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of big
Adjective
  • The Astros took over the division lead for the first time since April after a three-game sweep of the Rangers over the weekend.
    — David Brandt, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Amazon shares gained 4% and hit a new all-time high on Monday, putting its market cap over the $3 trillion threshold for the first time following a better-than-expected earnings report last week.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of first

Phrases Containing cardinal

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carded
cardinal
cardinal virtue
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Cite this Entry

“Cardinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cardinal

Nglish: Translation of cardinal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cardinal

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