cardinal

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of cardinal are essential, fundamental, and vital. While all these words mean "so important as to be indispensable," cardinal suggests something on which an outcome turns or depends.

a cardinal rule in buying a home

Where would essential be a reasonable alternative to cardinal?

The meanings of essential and cardinal largely overlap; however, 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 fundamental be used to replace cardinal?

The words fundamental and cardinal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fundamental applies to something that is a foundation without which an entire system or complex whole would collapse.

fundamental principles of algebra

When is vital a more appropriate choice than cardinal?

While in some cases nearly identical to cardinal, 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 cardinal But to get there takes a grueling voting process in which the cardinal body must come to a majority vote. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 Nov. 2024 Additionally, the Vatican recently published a series of papal directives, including reforms granting broader governing powers to a nun leading Vatican City State and the scheduling of a cardinal meeting to finalize upcoming canonization dates. David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025 For some, artificial intelligence was the cardinal antagonist of 2024. Jason Parham, WIRED, 26 Dec. 2024 The drama is anchored by the voting itself—the elaborate formalities with which the cardinal electors, of whom (in real life) there are a hundred and twenty-one, cast their ballots, requiring a two-thirds vote to yield a winner. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for cardinal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cardinal
Adjective
  • As previously reported, this year’s main competition jury president will be Juliette Binoche, who will oversee the choosing of the Palme d’Or and other festival awards alongside a jury yet to be announced.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The first drop pays homage to Jackson, Wyo., where Season 2 begins, after the two main characters found temporary refuge there in Season 1.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Algeria’s western neighbor and primary rival, Morocco, also received its first batch of Akinci drones in February 2025.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Even when wives are the primary or sole earners, husbands' contributions to housework remain largely unchanged, increasing only slightly when wives are sole earners.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The policies announced so far in Trump's current term are on track to push the average tariff to 22.5%, per the Yale Budget Lab. Flashback: From the colonial era through the early 1900s, tariffs were the predominant source of the federal government's revenue.
    Neil Irwin, Axios, 5 Apr. 2025
  • During oral arguments, Louisiana and its backers sought to argue that there was a difference between considering race when creating the congressional maps versus viewing race as the predominant factor.
    Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Alencar secured four of five takedown attempts and maintained 12:38 of control time en route to the dominant win.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Graduate guard Azzi Fudd, who scored just eight points in UConn’s Elite Eight win against USC, was equally dominant.
    Grace Raynor, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Through them, the Chinese firm has persuaded the president to defend a tool wielded by America’s foremost foreign adversary.
    The Editors, National Review, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
    Tim Pratte, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • With brisk economy, Coogler introduces love interests for the three principal male characters.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Diminishing impact from tariffs can also feed into Beijing’s calculus that U.S. leverage is likely reaching a ceiling, Yue Su, principal economist, China, at the Economist Intelligence Unit, said in an email.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Soto only has one homer and three RBIS through his first 32 at-bats but just last season, his plate appearances represent must see events.
    Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • This isn't the first time Chopra — who shares 3-year-old daughter Malti with Jonas — has seen her husband in The Last Five Years.
    Dave Quinn, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Heading them is none other than Robert Keller, who wasn’t killed after all, and now blames his big bro for abandoning him.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Jason McIntyre discusses the biggest takeaways from the game, including how Florida has come back from several deficits this tournament.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cardinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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