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
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Recent Examples of central
Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2025
That clash of emotions — celebration of a dream season and commiseration over its bitter conclusion — sat on the central clubhouse table.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 21 Sep. 2025
Luang Prabang This city in north-central Laos, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the beating heart of Lao Buddhism.
—Jack Tydeman, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for central
Adjective
What seems like an act of devotion risks undercutting a central purpose of college.
—Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2025
That clash of emotions — celebration of a dream season and commiseration over its bitter conclusion — sat on the central clubhouse table.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
Abner King, the CEO of Syringa Hospital and Clinics, the lone hospital in the small farming community of Grangeville in rural north-central Idaho, said the cuts to Medicaid will likely exacerbate his hospital’s finances.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 21 Sep. 2025
Luang Prabang This city in north-central Laos, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the beating heart of Lao Buddhism.
—Jack Tydeman, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for central
Recent Examples of Synonyms for central
Adjective
-
Cebu is also one the country’s main tourist centers.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Most of the money was poured into three main super PACs, both pro-Cuomo and anti-Mamdani.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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In their middle-of-the-night, middle-of-the street confrontation, Lee told Chutto that his grandfather wanted to claim the land.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
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DeCosta has taken some notable swings before past deadlines, acquiring the likes of middle linebacker Roquan Smith, cornerback Marcus Peters and edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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As the Republican Party’s views have swung further right not just nationally but also locally, more moderate candidates who may have run as Republicans in Johnson County in the past are finding room under the Democratic umbrella and resonating with voters, Robinson said.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Both include lots of fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, and seeds, as well as moderate amounts of fish, chicken, dairy, and whole grains.—
Alexandria Nyembwe,
Health,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The source of the flare is an active galactic nucleus, or AGN — a bright, compact region at the center of a galaxy — and it’s powered by a supermassive black hole that is actively feeding on material.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Global capability centers have evolved far beyond tech support, but their growth presents challenges for multinationals and Indian cities alike.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Two guest bedrooms can be found downstairs, while four more upstairs bedrooms include a secluded primary retreat that comes with a fireplace, a dressing room, and dual baths.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
25 Oct. 2025
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This corner room offered the perfect view to keep watch over Main Street and the primary north-south international highway.—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Here are a bunch of nuggets about UM’s offensive personnel at the halfway point.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
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The relaxed pace and lack of obligations were a beneficial reset at the halfway point of the trip.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Current challenges Building Electric Road Systems (ERS) is significantly more expensive than traditional highway construction.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
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Some suggest this is because climate change is interfering with the flowering and pollination of some of the animals’ traditional sources of food.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Criticism of India As the leader of the US’ largest city and financial capital, any mayor of New York is given an outsized role on the world stage.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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The next morning, Burgher parents—oblivious to the fighting that had broken out in the capital—had lined the walkways and cheered as their children filed into schools with pencils and notebooks and tense faces, some bravely managing a smile, others rigid with fear.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Central.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/central. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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