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Fundamental: alternatives and connections

Begin with the reviewed alternatives, then explore broader connections without treating every related word as an automatic substitute.

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26,102 words currently have published synonym-style alternatives
90,593 searchable synonym connections
350,924 published thesaurus relationships of every type
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Fundamental

Pertaining to the foundation or basis; serving for the foundation. Hence: Essential, as an element, principle, or law; important; original; elementary; as, a fundamental truth; a fundamental axiom.

58 useful connections shown 16 reviewed relationships and 42 broader connections.
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Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

These links were deliberately created. Use the interchangeability score and guidance to judge whether a word will work in your sentence.

Similar meaning 6

Basic 84% connected

Relating to a base; performing the office of a base in a salt.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Basic 84% connected

Relating to a base; performing the office of a base in a salt.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Important 84% connected

Full of, or burdened by, import; charged with great interests; restless; anxious.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Important 84% connected

Full of, or burdened by, import; charged with great interests; restless; anxious.

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Significant 84% connected

Fitted or designed to signify or make known somethingl having a meaning; standing as a sign or token; expressive or suggestive; as, a significant wor…

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Significant 84% connected

Fitted or designed to signify or make known somethingl having a meaning; standing as a sign or token; expressive or suggestive; as, a significant wor…

oewn 2023 50% interchangeable

Open English WordNet links these adjective senses as similar in meaning; they are not necessarily interchangeable.

Broader term 2

Factor 76% connected

One who transacts business for another; an agent; a substitute; especially, a mercantile agent who buys and sells goods and transacts business for ot…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Harmonic 76% connected

Alt. of Harmonical

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Synonym 7

Cardinal 92% connected

Of fundamental importance; preeminent; superior; chief; principal.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Central 92% connected

Relating to the center; situated in or near the center or middle; containing the center; of or pertaining to the parts near the center; equidistant o…

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Key 92% connected

An instrument by means of which the bolt of a lock is shot or drawn; usually, a removable metal instrument fitted to the mechanism of a particular lo…

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Primal 92% connected

First; primary; original; chief.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Profound 92% connected

Descending far below the surface; opening or reaching to a great depth; deep.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Rudimentary 92% connected

Of or pertaining to rudiments; consisting in first principles; elementary; initial; as, rudimental essays.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Underlying 92% connected

Lying under or beneath; hence, fundamental; as, the underlying strata of a locality; underlying principles.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Near synonym 1

Important 74% connected

Full of, or burdened by, import; charged with great interests; restless; anxious.

general 42% interchangeable

Fundamental overlaps with important, but its tone, intensity or usual context may differ. Check the definition before substituting it.

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Words from the same subject

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Words connected by meaning

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