central 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsen-trəl How to pronounce central (audio)
Definition of centralnext
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

central

2 of 2

noun

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
Adjective
More recently, over the summer, FunDimension was World Cup watch party central, hosting bashes for various matches with soccer stars including Paul Pogba in attendance. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026 Platinum tickets make up the majority of the venue, taking up the central pews with the most panoramic view of the show. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
Some of the areas include the combat information center, message center (radio central), forward main engine room, boiler room, aircraft elevator machinery room, arresting gear engine room and more. — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026 On Wednesday, Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari told CNBC that the central should begin raising rates, a move that could start as early as September with the central bank's next meeting. — Sean Conlon,hugh Leask, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for central
Recent Examples of Synonyms for central
  1. main
  2. middle
  3. moderate
  4. center
  5. primary
  6. halfway
  7. traditional
  8. capital
Adjective
  • Construction of the project’s main underground access portal began in February 2026.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
  • This, Rostov’s main thoroughfare, wasn’t illuminated by the familiar bright glare of its many street lamps, or by light from its windows, now blacked out, but emerged from the darkness all the more gently in a milky cloak of moonlight.
    — Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • The data are no less dire for the tens of thousands of middle and high school students in the region who rely on MTA buses, Metro and Light Rail to get to school.
    — Brian O'Malley, Baltimore Sun, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Plus, there’s always something fun to try in their middle aisle, which changes on a weekly basis.
    — Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of middle
Adjective
  • Whether Judge is active for the ALDS remains to be seen, as a moderate calf strain kept the back-to-back MVP off the Yankees’ Wild Card roster.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Extreme to moderate heat warnings are in place for more than 34 million Californians, with temperatures forecast to reach between 92 and over 105 degrees, including along the coastal plains.
    — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of moderate
Noun
  • These districts can be established within a city, county or cooperative area to create economic development projects like industrial sites, research facilities, job-training centers and distribution hubs.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The center will test uncrewed platforms under realistic operational conditions and threats, including degraded or denied communication environments.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of center
Adjective
  • Orbit is Flight 14’s primary focus, and only by achieving that milestone can SpaceX move on to clear the rocket’s remaining hurdles.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The primary bedroom overlooks the High Line, with an en-suite bathroom that has a separate soaking tub and glass shower stall.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • The 24-year-old, like Gordon, who replaced him in the second half, offered energetic pressing, even sprinting from close to the halfway line to close down the goalkeeper at one point.
    — Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The 26-year-old information technology administrator consumed a Red Bull energy drink around the film's halfway mark to stay alert.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 25 July 2026
Definition of halfway
Adjective
  • As with its previous gear releases, PD EDC is bypassing traditional retail avenues to bring this project to fruition.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Sep. 2026
  • More importantly, bonds are also almost certainly bigger than the traditional banking system—and probably crossed that mark sometime in the past decade, for the first time since both were invented a millennium ago.
    — Robin Wigglesworth, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of traditional
Noun
  • His American Dream Act would provide a five-year capital-gains tax exemption for homeowners 65 and older who sell their property to a first-time buyer.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Across industries, women continue to take on roles with greater control over capital, strategy and technology at some of the world’s most consequential businesses.
    — CNBC.com staff, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of capital

Browse Nearby Words

center stages
central
central cities
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Cite this Entry

“Central.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/central. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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