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fundamental

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fundamental different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of fundamental are cardinal, essential, and vital. While all these words mean "so important as to be indispensable," fundamental applies to something that is a foundation without which an entire system or complex whole would collapse.

fundamental principles of algebra

When might cardinal be a better fit than fundamental?

The words cardinal and fundamental can be used in similar contexts, but cardinal suggests something on which an outcome turns or depends.

a cardinal rule in buying a home

When would essential be a good substitute for fundamental?

Although the words essential and fundamental have much in common, 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 vital be used to replace fundamental?

The words vital and fundamental are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 fundamental
Noun
He may yet be proved wrong, but, after three years and counting, this is the fundamental assumption that undergirds his thinking on matters of war and peace. Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025 Symptoms of plague and how to protect yourself The three different types of plague — bubonic, septicemic and pneumonic — have some differing symptoms, though many of the fundamental signs are the same. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025 And there’s no fundamental reason, Vahdat said, the number won’t fall further, potentially by orders of magnitude. Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 21 Aug. 2025 The story supposedly centers on Jones and St. Brown’s rivalry from their high school days growing up in California, and Jones’ desire to work on some fundamental changes the Dolphins are hoping the 27-year-old can make to his game. Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fundamental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fundamental
Adjective
  • Interior trims range from basic to luxurious, but all feature easy to use controls, physical switches and dials for key functions and one of the auto industry’s best touch screens and infotainment systems.
    Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • For foot passengers who don’t mind simple accommodation, fares for a basic cabin typically range from $35—$75 per person.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Reese merely flipped that axiom on its head by asking to be coached harder.
    Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • This is an axiom; indeed, delegation is one of the first skills typically required of new managers.
    Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 24 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • These metres break you down to your essence.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The bad news is that time is of the essence.
    Daniel Klein, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Those humans who were good at it, even in its most rudimentary forms, would have a real advantage.
    Elissa Strauss, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2025
  • But most users do not yet have passkeys on their accounts and still rely on passwords, perhaps with some rudimentary form of 2FA.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The Sonicare brushing app is proof that this maxim couldn’t be truer.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2025
  • There's a maxim in the intelligence community always about speaking truth to power.
    ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Today, Anousheh is the CEO of the XPRIZE Foundation, an organization that has helped solve massive social problems by setting grand challenges for teams to compete and solve.
    Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Folks, the problem is not the sign, the decor or the politics.
    Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Two of the leaders of Sticks & Sprouts gave a status update on the potential mud-and-water project for the patch of dirt next to the elementary-school playground.
    Charlotte Alter, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Catherine Ament of Rolling Prairie, near LaPorte, was studying to be an elementary teacher.
    Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • All in all, Southern small talk rules are a fickle thing to follow.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Lawmakers in many states have changed the rules in recent decades to protect winners from being targeted by criminals and unscrupulous people asking for money.
    Safiyah Riddle, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fundamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fundamental. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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