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.

Jean-Paul Vesco, the Franco-Algerian cardinal of the Catholic Church who serves as the Archbishop of Algiers, wrote in a statement.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 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

An American cardinal, Robert Francis Prevost, becomes the 267th pontiff of the global Catholic Church, taking the name of Pope Leo XIV.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

He knew that the circumference of the Earth was forty thousand kilometers, and that only the male cardinal was bright red.

From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia

Vocabulary lists containing cardinal

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