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
To secure such an outcome means breaking his cardinal rule.
—
Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
The Mutable Fire Sign Every sign is assigned a quality (cardinal, mutable, or fixed), which explains the sign's basic energy.
—Maressa Brown, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026
While training at the FBI Academy at Quantico, I was required to learn and follow the cardinal safety rules, which include (1) treating all firearms as loaded, (2) keeping firearms pointed in a safe direction and (3) keeping one’s finger off the trigger until one is ready to press it.
—Luke William Hunt, The Conversation, 30 Jan. 2026
However, it was revealed Ruff broke a cardinal rule, playing or simulating a game more than once, and was deposed as commissioner, though there is some disagreement about what exactly happened.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cardinal
Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
The Mutable Fire Sign Every sign is assigned a quality (cardinal, mutable, or fixed), which explains the sign's basic energy.
—Maressa Brown, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026
While training at the FBI Academy at Quantico, I was required to learn and follow the cardinal safety rules, which include (1) treating all firearms as loaded, (2) keeping firearms pointed in a safe direction and (3) keeping one’s finger off the trigger until one is ready to press it.
—Luke William Hunt, The Conversation, 30 Jan. 2026
However, it was revealed Ruff broke a cardinal rule, playing or simulating a game more than once, and was deposed as commissioner, though there is some disagreement about what exactly happened.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cardinal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cardinal
Adjective
-
Demonstrators flocked to protests around the country to march, stand in crowds or line main streets.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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Sirens alerted people to seek shelter in and around Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Beer Sheba and areas near the country’s main nuclear research center, which were targeted by Iranian strikes that injured dozens last weekend.—
Farnoush Amiri,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The primary retreat anchors dual bathrooms, a private salon and an oversized dressing room.—
Sandra Barrera,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
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But the May 5 Democratic primary election, which pits a progressive newcomer and a longtime political gadfly against an incumbent with strong ties to Indy Democrats, could act as a proxy for voters' feelings about the party establishment.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
First, the predominant previous assessment of many pundits that Gulf states’ collective large investments in defense were prestige driven — as opposed to a necessity — has fallen flat on its face.—
Faisal J. Abbas,
semafor.com,
27 Mar. 2026
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But on the Facebook Just in Time Broadway fan group, which has 7,700 members and seems to be the locus of Groffie fandom, the predominant tone is warm, almost giddy.—
Alexandra Starr,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But the Celtics still entered halftime with a big 80-57 advantage in large part because of its dominant first period.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
While not a quality start, Cameron continued a string of dominant pitching performances from the starting rotation.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Its seminary is the foremost clerical institution in the world, training students from Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan in a wide range of topics, including Shiite jurisprudence, Quranic interpretation and Arabic literature.—
Mary Thurlkill,
The Conversation,
30 Mar. 2026
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The meeting has been positioned as a critical opportunity for both sides to reset the relationship between the world’s two foremost economic and military powers.—
Sylvie Zhuang,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Christopherson, a Star resident, is wrapping up his third year as principal of Hunter Elementary in Meridian after completing his principal internship at Star and Willow Creek elementary schools.—
Noah Daly,
Idaho Statesman,
30 Mar. 2026
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Small operators are lucky to recover half of higher fuel costs in their rates, said Dean Croke, principal analyst at DAT Freight & Analytics.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Even so, Olsson still remained her biggest critic.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
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Kitchen staff pile the plates high with big portions, ensuring leftovers to take home.—
Joe Marusak
April 1,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Ace right-hander Jacob deGrom, making his first start of the season after being scratched Saturday with a neck injury, cruised through the first four innings and almost made if out of the fifth, but Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson hit a two-run double to tie the game at 3.—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
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Yet this is part of a trend that’s defined the Knicks’ first season under Brown, one that also predated Brown’s arrival as a through-line over the course of last season’s playoff run.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cardinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cardinal. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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