1
as in main
coming before all others in importance
the central theme of the book
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in middle
occupying a position equally distant from the ends or extremes
will hold the conference in the central part of the country in order to encourage delegates from both coasts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in moderate
avoiding major social change or extreme political ideas
with all of the attention being paid to the party's right and left wings, the vast central core has been largely ignored
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in center
a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest
a health club that has become dating central for singles in the area
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of central
Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 19 May 2026
Astronomers believe that, some 500 million years ago, NGC 1266 merged with a smaller galaxy, leading to a burst in star formation—but the collision also increased the mass in the central bulge.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 19 May 2026
Art De Roché, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Counties included in the warning are southeast Clinton, north-central Clay, northwest Ray and west Caldwell counties, the weather service said.
—Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for central
Adjective
Scientists think that at the heart of most galaxies lies a black hole, and in M77, its central black hole's intense gravity is pulling gas inward.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 19 May 2026
Astronomers believe that, some 500 million years ago, NGC 1266 merged with a smaller galaxy, leading to a burst in star formation—but the collision also increased the mass in the central bulge.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 19 May 2026
Noun
But both make Arsenal a more attacking threat, with Eze’s creativity and individualism central.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Counties included in the warning are southeast Clinton, north-central Clay, northwest Ray and west Caldwell counties, the weather service said.
—Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for central
Recent Examples of Synonyms for central
Adjective
-
Plenty of helpful signs are posted throughout, and main paths traverse the park.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
This intersection between kitchens and spirits spills over from main courses into desserts too.—
Carinne Geil Botta,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
The other two — Miguel Vargas’ three-run home run in the first and Colson Montgomery’s solo shot in the third — were pitches that were mostly middle-middle.—
Andy Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
-
These guerrilla pop-ups launched the heartland quartet – singer Tyson Ritter, lead guitarist Nick Wheeler, rhythm guitarist Mike Kennerty and drummer Chris Gaylor – into a world of TikToks and Instagram posts, simultaneously cultivating a fan base decades younger than the now-middle-aged rockers.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
As a result, the Charlotte region is one of more than 50 metropolitan communities nationwide that will benefit from funds earmarked for low- and moderate-income borrowers.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
19 May 2026
-
There is a moderate likelihood of EF 2 tornadoes and severe hail.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
But Patrick Mahomes, who tore his ACL last December, is ahead of schedule and will likely be under center when these two teams square off in early November.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
-
The tension spilled into election issues, including accusations that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco seized ballots in a voter‑fraud investigation, now at the center of a legal fight with the state attorney general.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Daniella Segura Click the link below for the USA TODAY Network's California June primary voter guide — registration deadline, ballot drop boxes, early voting, and how to track your ballot through Election Day.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, about a kilometre away, workers began clearing debris from the old site of the primary-care center, making room for a permanent replacement.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Their record at the playoffs' halfway point disagrees.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
-
The most famous is the 16th-century Rialto Bridge, which sits roughly at the halfway point and is considered a remarkable architectural and engineering achievement of the Renaissance period.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In addition to traditional treatments, there are holistic therapies like sound healing, Reiki, and shirodhara, an ancient Ayurvedic remedy.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
-
Set along the Ashley River, guests learn traditional crabbing techniques while gaining insight into the Gullah Geechee heritage, local ecosystem, and history of the Lowcountry.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
At the same time, Anthropic argued that the US still holds several major advantages, including stronger chip ecosystems, leading AI companies, and broader access to capital for large-scale AI infrastructure.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
-
Legislation in Louisiana seeks to address the Supreme Court ruling by scrapping a district that snakes over 200 miles (321 kilometers) northwest from the capital, Baton Rouge, to Shreveport, creating a voting bloc with a majority of Black residents.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Central.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/central. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
