Cardinal
Cardinal adjective - Coming before all others in importance.
Usage example: the cardinal rule of medicine: do no harm
Principal is a synonym for cardinal in important topic. In some cases you can use "Principal" instead the word "Cardinal" as an adjective or a noun, when it comes to topics like characteristic, position, main, fundamental. popular alternative
Nearby Words: cardinally, cardinality
Principal
Principal adjective - Coming before all others in importance.
Usage example: our principal reason for coming here today
Cardinal is a synonym for principal in main topic. You can use "Cardinal" instead the word "Principal" as an adjective or a noun, if it concerns topics such as characteristic, important, basic, premier. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Both words in one sentence
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Naturally, Arnold ain't buying it, so he confronts the abusive father and, after laying down the cardinal rule of "You hit the kid, I hit you," proceeds to beat the ever-lovin' crap out of him, much to the delight of the principal.
Source: Cut Himself Shaving
Cite this Source
Principal and Cardinal. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/cardinal/principal
Cardinal & Principal. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/cardinal/principal>.
Principal or Cardinal. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/cardinal/principal.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "cardinal" and "principal" have occurred on timeline