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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cardinal
Adjective
  • Israel hit Iran’s main enrichment site at Natanz, its leading nuclear scientists, and struck the heart of its ballistic missile program, Netanyahu said.
    Spencer Kimball,Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 13 June 2025
  • The incident came just hours after about 100 anti-ICE protesters gathered in Lower Manhattan at Foley Square, near a large government building that houses federal immigration offices and the city's main immigration court.
    Michael Dorgan , Bryan Llenas, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2025
Adjective
  • The gluteus medius muscle, a smaller buttock muscle located underneath the gluteus maximus, is the primary muscle supporting the pelvis. 4.
    Aubrey Bailey, Verywell Health, 5 June 2025
  • Joe Schoen and Daboll already are giving a ton of key players days and weeks off this spring, limiting the football that some of their primary contributors are playing.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • But the predominant theme of the debate was Cuomo facing attacks from the eight other candidates, who laced into him on everything from public safety and education to affordable housing production and the ex-governor’s integrity.
    Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
  • Apparently natural selection among the Uru, Aymara and Quechua peoples of the Bolivian Altiplano took DNA sequences that are present but rare in other populations around the world and increased their frequency to the point where the normally uncommon sequences are predominant in these groups.
    Kermit Pattison, Scientific American, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Nathan struggled in limited playoff action, but few closers in MLB history have been as consistently dominant in the regular season.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 2 June 2025
  • Junior pitcher Kayla Schweich, a St. Cloud State commit, has been dominant in the circle for much of the year for Farmington, with Lexi Goring and Wisconsin commit Lila Johannsen filling out a lethal top of the order.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • The foremost conflict playing out across the Middle East today is between Israel and Iran, a nation that already possesses a sophisticated and large-scale nuclear program.
    Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • Working with Miller at America First Legal was Gene Hamilton, the principal author of Trump’s controversial family-separation policy, according to a January 2021 Justice Department inspector general report.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 10 June 2025
  • The principal home of the Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is not only an architectural marvel but also a favorite backdrop for period dramas.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 June 2025
Adjective
  • Her hard work and achievements paid off when, in 1983, Louisiana State University Medical Center hired her to become the nation’s first woman to lead a cardiovascular surgery division.
    Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
  • President Donald Trump flipped Miami-Dade red for the first time since George H.W. Bush won the presidency in 1988, riding new support throughout the majority-Hispanic county.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • This insight reframes the risks of inaction for more than just Sequoia. With AI, the bigger risk is no longer moving too soon but failing to move at all, something which Skates grappled with in his own decision to time the move.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • The big goal at this stage is to ramp up its user base and continue enhancing Ecco’s functionality.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 10 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cardinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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