fundamental

adjective as in basic, important

Strongest matches

central, constitutional, crucial, elemental, elementary, essential, indispensable, integral, intrinsic, major, necessary, paramount, principal, radical, significant, structural, theoretical, underlying, vital

Strong matches

bottom, cardinal, first, key, organic, original, primary, prime, primitive, requisite, supporting

Weak matches

axiological, axiomatic, basal, bottom-line, constitutive, foundational, grassroots, meat-and-potatoes, primordial, rudimentary, substratal, substrative, sustaining, underived

noun as in basic, essential part

Strongest matches

bottom line, component, cornerstone, element, factor, foundation, law, principle

Strong matches

ABCs, axiom, basis, constituent, guts, heart, nitty-gritty, rudiment, rule, theorem

Weak matches

brass tacks, coal-and-ice, principium, rock bottom, sine qua non

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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.

But as Stephen F. Hayes documents in his excellent 2007 biography, Cheney thought Iraq’s supposed possession of WMDs was only part of the more fundamental problem: the regime’s support for terrorism.

fundamental

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