centripetal

adjective/sɛnˈtrɪpɪtəl/

Frequency rank: #19,567 most common English word

Meaning

directed toward the center of a circular path; describing a force that pulls an object inward.

Illustration for the English word “centripetal”

Example sentence

The centripetal force keeps planets moving in their orbits around the sun.

Synonyms & related words

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