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.

Europe should admit that self-preservation is now a central motive of its support.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

The situation puts central banks in a bind on inflation and interest rates.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

For Christians, Easter is the most important date in the liturgical calendar, marking the resurrection of Christ - a central tenet of the faith.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

Aging takes a serious toll on the hippocampus, the part of the brain that plays a central role in learning and memory.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026

It violated the central premise of the revolutionary legacy—namely, that the people at large were the sovereign source of all political authority.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

central

Example Sentences

Related Words