Synonyms for fundamental

Noun

1. fundamental, fundamental frequency, first harmonic, harmonic

usage: the lowest tone of a harmonic series

Adjective

1. cardinal, central, fundamental, key, primal, important (vs. unimportant), of import

usage: serving as an essential component; "a cardinal rule"; "the central cause of the problem"; "an example that was fundamental to the argument"; "computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure"

2. fundamental, rudimentary, underlying, basic (vs. incidental)

usage: being or involving basic facts or principles; "the fundamental laws of the universe"; "a fundamental incompatibility between them"; "these rudimentary truths"; "underlying principles"

3. fundamental, profound, significant (vs. insignificant), important

usage: far-reaching and thoroughgoing in effect especially on the nature of something; "the fundamental revolution in human values that has occurred"; "the book underwent fundamental changes"; "committed the fundamental error of confusing spending with extravagance"; "profound social changes"