as in main
coming before all others in importance
the cardinal rule of medicine: do no harm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
In order to win the conclave, the new pope needed to get 89 of 133 cardinal votes.
—
Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 May 2025
This is a short squeeze as hedge funds forgot the cardinal rule: never short something the first 30 days of an IPO.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 27 May 2025
Look, but don’t touch is the cardinal rule at most museums.
—Nevin Martell, USA Today, 27 May 2025
But no betting on baseball was the cardinal rule, and Rose knew it.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cardinal
Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 May 2025
This is a short squeeze as hedge funds forgot the cardinal rule: never short something the first 30 days of an IPO.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 27 May 2025
Look, but don’t touch is the cardinal rule at most museums.
—Nevin Martell, USA Today, 27 May 2025
But no betting on baseball was the cardinal rule, and Rose knew it.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cardinal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cardinal
Adjective
-
The tournament grounds feature three main retail sites: the Centre Court Shop, the No. 1 Court Shop and the Museum Shop, along with five express shops and an additional nine kiosks.—
Tim Newcomb,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
While your house's main job is to be a comfortable spot to land after a long day, there are still plenty of decorative touches throughout the home, maybe some inspired by Hallie's California-meets-western style.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
No, corn sweat is not the primary cause behind the heat wave Cincinnati is experiencing this week.—
Grace Tucker,
The Enquirer,
24 July 2025
-
The medical examiner ruled that ketamine, typically used as a surgical anesthetic, was the primary cause of death.—
Andrew Dalton,
Chicago Tribune,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
Where in the past the predominant parties would at least pay lip service by either demanding higher taxes or lower spending, that appears to be out the window in DC these days.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
24 July 2025
-
Your predominant dosha—whether vata, pitta, or kapha—affects everything from your personality to your sleep tendencies.—
Anjana Rajbhandary,
Outside Online,
20 July 2025
Adjective
-
And with fewer dominant teams than usual at the break, this season has been ruled by fortune, good or bad, more than most in recent memory.—
Neil Paine,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
-
Solid-state batteries may also allow Western producers to localize production — thereby weaning themselves away from China's dominant supply chains .—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
Just as Russia has declined in its military might since the break-up of the Soviet Union a generation ago, Grossfeld says, its status as one of the globe’s foremost space powers has likewise slipped away.—
Kevin Holden Platt,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
-
But all that nuttiness took place a long time ago, under the influence, and, according to the world’s foremost Ozzy authority, such is not really the case.—
Erik Hedegaard,
Rolling Stone,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
In general, the tax deduction will decline after the initial year because interest payments on loans are front-loaded, while principal payments grow on the back end.—
Alain Sherter,
CBS News,
14 July 2025
-
Once Todd Blanche was confirmed to the post, Bove became principal associate deputy attorney general.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
With the first two episodes already having so much drama, the rest of the summer is sure to be eventful.—
Dina Kaur,
AZCentral.com,
24 July 2025
-
The project is the first to enlist youth to do this monitoring.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
High turnover rates and extended vacancy periods will have the biggest impact on your bottom line—especially in a challenging market for renters.—
Nathan Miller,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
Beyond that is the main event: the big blue sea, which is making great crunching sounds as the waves stretch and yawn.—
Daisy Jones,
Vogue,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cardinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share