Definitions

central

[sen-truhl] / ˈsɛn trəl /

ADJECTIVE

main, principal; in the middle

Synonyms

STRONGEST

basic essential fundamental important key paramount pivotal significant

STRONG

cardinal center chief dominant interior intermediate leading master mean median middle midway primary prime radical ruling salient umbilical

WEAK

axial centric centroidal equidistant focal foremost inmost inner mid middlemost midmost nuclear omphalic outstanding overriding predominant

Antonyms

STRONGEST

additional auxiliary extra inessential insignificant minor nonessential secondary trivial unimportant unsubstantial

STRONG

exterior extreme inferior outer outside subordinate

WEAK

peripheral

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.

Global demand for physical gold, meanwhile, from Chinese retail to central banks could further support prices, they add.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

Scientists have long known that mitochondria, often called the cell's powerhouses, play a central role in this decline.

From Science Daily • Jun. 11, 2026

Scotland's long-awaited World Cup return is led by players from Glasgow and the central belt.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

Warsh chairs a central bank that owns $4.36 trillion worth of Treasuries and is among the largest debtholders globally.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

The calls came in to a central operator sitting at a switchboard at the phone company downtown.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson

Vocabulary lists containing central

The SAT: Language of the Test, List 2

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The Language of Standardized Tests, List 1

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PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade7)

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