cardinal

[kahr-dn-l] / ˈkɑr dn l /

ADJECTIVE

important, key

Synonyms

STRONGEST

overriding

STRONG

basic central chief essential first fundamental leading main primary prime principal ruling

WEAK

basal bottom-line constitutive foremost greatest highest indispensable overruling paramount pivotal preeminent vital

Antonyms

STRONG

additional auxiliary extra inessential inferior last least minor nonessential outside peripheral secondary subordinate trivial unimportant unnecessary

WEAK

insignificant negligible

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Her crime, she believes, is “the cardinal scientific sin of anthropomorphizing trees by using the metaphor of the mother tree.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Freedom of circulation is a cardinal principle of maritime law.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

The cardinal sin of “The Last Days” is that it doesn’t choose a storyline.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 20, 2026

Before Robby and Al-Hashimi engage in any real ideological tussles, though, she commits the cardinal sin of suggesting they change the trauma center’s nickname to something else.

From Salon • Jan. 8, 2026

Minerva wagged her finger at me and reminded me of the new cardinal rule she’s added to her other three: Stay hopeful but do not expect anything.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez

Vocabulary lists containing cardinal

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