1
as in main
coming before all others in importance
the central theme of the book
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in middle
occupying a position equally distant from the ends or extremes
will hold the conference in the central part of the country in order to encourage delegates from both coasts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in moderate
avoiding major social change or extreme political ideas
with all of the attention being paid to the party's right and left wings, the vast central core has been largely ignored
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in center
a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest
a health club that has become dating central for singles in the area
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of central
Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2026
Copper, often seen as a bellwether for the global economy, is central to electrification and widely used in power grids, renewable energy systems, and electric vehicles.
—Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
Philip Elliott, Time, 29 Jan. 2026
Starring frontman JayDee of the trap corridos outfit Herencia de Patrones as an aspiring singer-songwriter in north-central California, the modest enterprise was originally scheduled for release months ago, then delayed till the doldrums of January instead.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for central
Adjective
The promenade begins as everyone gravitates to the central square.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2026
Copper, often seen as a bellwether for the global economy, is central to electrification and widely used in power grids, renewable energy systems, and electric vehicles.
—Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
But the polling central to this current spending fight is not like Obamacare, which has support from about two-thirds of all adults.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 29 Jan. 2026
Starring frontman JayDee of the trap corridos outfit Herencia de Patrones as an aspiring singer-songwriter in north-central California, the modest enterprise was originally scheduled for release months ago, then delayed till the doldrums of January instead.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for central
Recent Examples of Synonyms for central
Adjective
-
The district’s major facilities overhaul is set to bring freshman students back into Neuqua’s main building starting in 2027, which will free up Birkett to house a number of district programs.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Hitting this target should be your main priority in the months ahead.—
Christine Benz,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Mar. 2026
-
On the road - Drive in the middle lanes and stay on high ground.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Alzheimer’s disease can impair a person’s ability to recognize familiar places, and wandering can happen at any stage of the illness, though people in the moderate stages tend to be more likely to roam off.—
Panashe Matemba-Mutasa,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
There is a moderate risk of rip currents at all Central Florida Atlantic beaches.—
Garfield Hylton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The synagogue houses a preschool and family center, but officials said all 140 students and staff members were accounted for and safe, according to CNN and other media reports.—
Daniel Hunt
March 12,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Concerns center on Azizi’s ties to regional leaders and the scale of Nation Media’s operations, which employ hundreds of journalists across television, radio, and print in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania.—
Vivianne Wandera,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Mesa County Clerk and Colorado Republican candidate for secretary of state Tina Peters reacts to early election returns during a primary night watch party at the Wide Open Saloon on June 28, 2022, in Sedalia, Colorado.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Senior Republicans under pressure from conservative activists and GOP primary challengers are starting to take notice.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Biro’s sending off came after battling for the ball with Charlotte FC striker Idan Toklomati on the halfway line.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Around the halfway point, Mai’s domesticity grows feral.—
Stephen Kearse,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The elevator delivers you to the lobby, where hanging textiles in warm ocher tones serve as the signature art piece, dyed using dorozome, a traditional mud-dyeing technique, with soil from the building site itself.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The board denied renewal of Green Dot Locke High charter by a 4-3 vote, citing lower performance compared to traditional schools.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Intense airstrikes hit early Friday around Iran's capital, Tehran, as well as outlying areas.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
-
More traditional and slower-paced than Japan’s capital, Tokyo, or its neighbor, Osaka, the city is truly breathtaking in a unique way; rich historic districts, centuries-old temples, and zen gardens stand in for sleek skyscrapers and neon lights.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Vogue,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Central.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/central. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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