CARDINAL Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

cardinal

adjective

Definition of cardinal next

as in main

coming before all others in importance the cardinal rule of medicine: do no harm

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The buyei, the spiritual leader, shakes maracas and leads the group members to face each cardinal direction, making their presence known to the ancestors. —

Seth Berry, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Oct. 2024 But a more likely explanation is how the ancient Greeks assigned colors to the cardinal directions: Green or blue for east, white for west, red for south and black for north. —

Joe Yogerst, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 The Orsini Polyptych, on the other hand, could initially be folded up and toted around by its patron, the cardinal Napoleone Orsini, who could worship its pictures in private. —

Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 11 Oct. 2024 The whimsical color palette for Pastoral offers hues like baby blue and candy pink paired with chocolate brown and midnight black, while Royale goes for energetic tones of sorbet, lime, and cardinal red. —

Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cardinal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cardinal

Adjective

The Scottsdale crash was caused by mechanical failure, specifically the collapse of the left main landing gear.

— Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 11 Feb. 2025
There will be new actors playing the series’ main characters, but no one has been cast yet.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2025