as in main
coming before all others in importance
the cardinal rule of medicine: do no harm
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Recent Examples of cardinal
Some 80% of the cardinal electors were named by Francis, many from countries that had never before had a cardinal.
—
Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 9 May 2025
It is heavily guarded because the cardinal rule of the place is that there is no violence.
—Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2025
Creative Briefs One of the cardinal rules at Procter & Gamble was that strategy should precede execution.
—George Bradt, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Each cardinal votes by secret ballot, says a prayer and then drops his ballot into a large chalice, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website states.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cardinal
Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 9 May 2025
It is heavily guarded because the cardinal rule of the place is that there is no violence.
—Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2025
Creative Briefs One of the cardinal rules at Procter & Gamble was that strategy should precede execution.
—George Bradt, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Each cardinal votes by secret ballot, says a prayer and then drops his ballot into a large chalice, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website states.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cardinal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cardinal
Adjective
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The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Aug. 2025
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His main ride is a blue 2005 TJ with a four-inch lift and some other add-ons.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
USA Today,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Timmons was awarded sole custody and primary placement of the children in February 2024.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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The American banking giant already has an existing partnership with McLaren after it was named a primary partner of the team ahead of last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.—
Yara Elshebiny,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The original style of most sauces is spicy-sweet with molasses, ketchup, and hickory flavors being the predominant notes.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
23 Aug. 2025
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Policy shakeups were the predominant reason for the volatility in the first half of 2025.—
John Buckingham,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Chicago got dominant starts from Shane Smith and Martin Perez earlier in the series, but veteran right-hander Aaron Civale wasn’t so lucky.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
28 Aug. 2025
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Concern over the loss of Wheeler has less to do with the regular season — the Phillies are five games up on the Mets and heavily favored to win the NL East — but being without him in the postseason, where he’s been dominant (2.18 ERA over 12 appearances), will be much harder to overcome.—
Jim Bowden,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Danny Ertel,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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Frost is, by reputation, perhaps the foremost poet of rural, non-coastal New England — of birches and apple trees, of forests blanketed in snow, of pastures sliced by ragged stone walls, and of the flinty, self-sufficient kind of temperament that flourishes in those places.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The terms of the grant required that principal investigators devote their primary employment to the small business at the time of the award and throughout the award period, prosecutors said.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
19 Aug. 2025
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Changes coming into effect largely reduce these for residents with homes under the median value and for principal residences, cutting the rate on properties below $400,000 to 0.76 percent, with gradual increases based on factors such as income and property type.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is considering allowing a Michigan nuclear plant to restart after approving in July its first such plant resumption with Palisades Nuclear Plant to increase U.S. energy output for data centers.—
Noël Fletcher,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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Up next: Mizzou turns to its first big test of the season against Kansas.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Watch it here: Stream your favorite shows, the biggest blockbusters and more.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
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Ahlquist’s project is the last big development to come to the area east and west of Ten Mile Road north of I-84 that is guided by the city’s Ten Mile Interchange Specific Area Plan adopted in 2007.—
Marcus Dorsey,
Idaho Statesman,
23 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cardinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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