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

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 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 Libra is the cardinal air sign, and sometimes the wind must blow! —

Jennifer Culp, Them, 18 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cardinal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cardinal

Adjective

The concert at the country’s main public square settled a pending debt with his Mexican fans, after postponing a presentation originally scheduled for September due to a domestic accident that resulted in five fractured ribs and forced him to suspend a series of shows in Mexico and Colombia.

— Natalia Cano, Billboard, 19 Jan. 2025
Israel would pull its troops back from Gaza's main population centers in the first stage of the deal, allowing its residents to return to what remains of their homes as more humanitarian aid permeates the Strip and those who are injured receive treatment.

— Ellie Cook, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025