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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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

Examples 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 This occurs when the four cardinal signs — Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn — challenge one another, which can feel like a tug-of-war between priorities. —

Valerie Mesa, People.com, 16 Oct. 2024 Shred cheese: As always, follow one of the cardinal rules of casserole making in the South: Shred your own cheese. —

Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 2024 And back to the original inhabitants, the Cherokee, who still live here, and still follow the belief that there are not four but seven cardinal directions: North, south, east and west, sure. —

Michael Graff, Axios, 4 Oct. 2024 The designer leaned into all that Butler absorbed from his travels, using that worldliness as her cardinal design direction. —

Nick Mafi, Architectural Digest, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cardinal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cardinal

Adjective

The zinc gradually lost its hold on the cables suspending the telescope’s main platform over the reflector dish.

Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
The measure’s main opponents, the state Republican Party and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, did not appear to raise any money to campaign against the proposition.

Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024