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centripetal

centripetal

1 7.4
A force that pulls people or groups toward a common goal
  • adjective
  • /sɛnˈtrɪpɪtəl/
translation icon : centrípeto
  • At about that point, the Maya developed the concept of a divine kingship, an important centripetal force for the site centers (Schele and Friedel 1990).
  • centripetal force

So Amazon is giving you this kind of centripetal force towards these sort of main mainstream modal things in the culture.

Examples

  • The school's new policies served as a centripetal influence, uniting students from different backgrounds.

  • The community leader acted as a centripetal force, bringing together various groups to work on common goals.

  • This rise of national media represented a centripetal force in social organization.

    Academic text (1993)
  • However, the loss of a clear narrative line and of a centripetal figure do not create a vacuum that he will fill.

    Academic text (2002)
  • However, the centripetal force of the primate city should never be underestimated.

    Academic text (1993)
  • As already observed, the centripetal structure of the painting invites viewers to focus on the figure of Christ, especially on his spotlighted face.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The focus of both centripetal compositions is a central, stabilizing personification.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Despite this return to a centrifugal electoral system, Thai democracy continues to exhibit centripetal tendencies.

    Academic text (2018)
  • If Private Lives contains two bosses at its core, Shaw's eponymous heroine is the single centripetal center of her play.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Countering the centrifugal tendency of this diversity was the stronger centripetal force of community-focused kinship and the reciprocal responsibilities of consequent social relations.

    Academic text (1992)

Synonyms

unifying
vscentripetal
4 3.7

Brings people or things together into one group

pulls toward a central point or common objective
consolidative
vscentripetal
8.0

Tending to join several things into one unit

draws things toward a central point or shared goal
centralizing
vscentripetal
  • US
5.8

Moving power and control to one main place or authority

aims to unify around a shared center rather than only increase authority

Antonyms

20 6.5

Tending to become different and move apart

Compounds

A force that pulls a moving object toward the center of its circular path

7.0

A change in an object's movement that makes it move toward the centre when it follows a curve

An influence that pulls different groups together around a shared goal

How Unifying

unifying
4 3.7
centripetal
1 7.4
integrative
7 6.9
cohesive
38 6.3

Surface Forms

centripetal positive

Morphology

centripetal = center (semi-transparent) = centri + petal

While 'centri-' suggests a relation to 'center', 'petal' is not a standalone English word, making the connection less direct.

Etymology

Centripetal combines centri- 'center' and -petal 'to seek', giving the image of things being 'drawn to the center'. So a centripetal force or idea pulls people or parts together toward a common point.