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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of central
Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2025
The most well-known is probably central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA), which was first identified in 1968 and is now one of the leading forms of hair loss among Black women.
—Zahra Spencer, Allure, 24 June 2025
Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 8 May 2025
The immediate onset of conflict over Kashmir in 1947-48 with a militarily and politically stronger India made the military central to the state's survival and placed it above civilian scrutiny.
—Aqil Shah, Foreign Affairs, 15 Apr. 2011
See All Example Sentences for central
Adjective
As one of the only public open spaces serving Greenwich Village west of 6th Avenue, Christopher Park has long been central to the life of the neighborhood and to its identity as an LGBT-friendly community.
—Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2025
The most well-known is probably central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA), which was first identified in 1968 and is now one of the leading forms of hair loss among Black women.
—Zahra Spencer, Allure, 24 June 2025
Noun
The residence is integrated into its landscape, with a horizontal central from which two wings of the house emerge—one side for bedrooms and bathrooms and the other for entertaining with the living room and dining room.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 8 May 2025
The immediate onset of conflict over Kashmir in 1947-48 with a militarily and politically stronger India made the military central to the state's survival and placed it above civilian scrutiny.
—Aqil Shah, Foreign Affairs, 15 Apr. 2011
See All Example Sentences for central
Recent Examples of Synonyms for central
Adjective
-
One voter in Greenwich Village told ABC News that concerns about antisemitism were a main driver for his decision to vote for Cuomo.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
24 June 2025
-
The three main changes House Republicans want to make are to ensure immigrants who are in the United States without legal authorization can’t enroll; create work requirements to be on the program; and prevent federal funding from being used for gender transition care.—
Danielle Battaglia,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
For 400 Million Windows Users Now in his second season with the Braves, who obtained him from Boston in an even-up swap for young middle infielder Vaughn Grissom, Sale won the Triple Crown of pitching last year.—
Dan Schlossberg,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2025
-
Highs will climb into the lower and middle 90s across much of the Tennessee valley during the week with some areas in the upper 90s by mid-week.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
States as far west as Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas will still have a moderate heat risk by Thursday, June 26.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
21 June 2025
-
Although the hottest temperatures are expected during the weekend, there is a moderate risk extreme heat will persist into later next week for parts of the Ohio Valley and East Coast states (New York could see 100-degree temperatures on Monday or Tuesday).—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Noun
-
Wolf, a seven-foot, 250-pound center, spent his first two college seasons at Yale before transferring to Michigan.—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
26 June 2025
-
Others, such as 18-year-old fellow center back Jordyn Bugg and 21-year-old Lilly Reale, will be playing with Girma for the first time.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
The second floor has the primary suite, which is large and has a private balcony that overlooks the grounds.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
29 June 2025
-
Disclosure data shows that more than a dozen lawyers and paralegals with the New York Legal Assistance Group made cash contributions to Mamdani’s campaign ahead of the primary election.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
With the halfway point of the year approaching, that is beginning to change.—
Matt Kunkel,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
The Giants reached the halfway point of their season with a stock portfolio in the green.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
Unfortunately, California does not have traditional laws that hold alcohol vendors liable for damage caused by drunken patrons.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 June 2025
-
Some of Washington’s partners may wait for a while, hoping that their American friends will come to their senses and try to reestablish something akin to the traditional U.S. leadership role.—
KORI SCHAKE,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
To be sure, there have been positive signs that the revival was working, not least because the Tata’s were prepared to deploy serious capital and effort to back its ambitions.—
Vasuki Shastry,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
-
The study is based on per capital daily news consumption, according to SmartNews.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
29 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Central.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/central. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share