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 character collection leans into more alternate builds for main characters.
    Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Use jig and pigs 18 to 25 feet deep along brush piles or main lake points with a gradual slope.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Last week, Reuters reported that Pulte’s own father and stepmother had declared two homes in two different states as their primary residence, prompting a town in Michigan to remove a tax exemption for their home there and charge the couple for back taxes.
    Chris Prentice, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
  • But today, technology was not his primary concern.
    Elie Ofek, Harvard Business Review, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Advertisement Lee grew up near Manchester’s Christ Church of the Church of England, but struggled to understand their beliefs, never fitting in with the predominant religion.
    Barry Levitt, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Should contempt become the predominant way that two partners communicate with one another, one or both will eventually reach a breaking point.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In the past year, tariffs, AI, and changing consumer sentiments have made once-dominant companies reshuffle their growth strategies.
    Charlotte Hu, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Then there is the Carnegie, which has become a dominant force in summer entertainment with its excellent summer series.
    David Lyman, The Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In 1951, Husseini’s associates murdered one of his foremost rivals, King Abdullah of Jordan.
    Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
    Ryan Hohman, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • On Tuesday, McEntarfer said that late-responding firms were the principal reason for the negative revision that preceded her firing.
    Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The bulk of your minimum payment goes toward interest, leaving only a small fraction to reduce your principal balance.
    True Tamplin, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Kirsten Obstacles and my first realisations about society's stereotypical attitudes toward motherhood, being a mother, and being an artist and mother quickly led me to take action.
    Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The high-energy track, which blends old school hip-hop vibes with rock elements, marks the first time a virtual group has ever produced a song and direct choreography for an audition survival series.
    Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Housed in a tube that’s significantly bigger than most brow gels, the fatter, curved side of the spoolie brush applies the product and fluffs up brows, while the flat side arranges arches.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Save from isolated slip-ups, all addressed by and mended with the captain, there were no big issues.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Cardinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on cardinal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!