centripetal
Toward the middle
Centripetal describes a force or motion directed toward a center.
A centripetal force pulls an object inward, keeping it moving in a curved path rather than flying off in a straight line: The string exerts centripetal force on the spinning ball.
The word contrasts with centrifugal, which describes the apparent outward force.
Figuratively, centripetal suggests drawing things together toward a common point: centripetal political forces unifying the nation.
Toward the inside
- convergenceProcess of approaching sameness
- focusConcentrated attention point
- centeringPositioning at midpoint
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
nucleus · core · centralization · unification · consolidation · gathering · cohesion · integration
Toward the inside
- focusingConcentrating on one point
- consolidationCombining into unified whole
- centralizationUnifying control in one place
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
gathering · unification · coalescence · aggregation · clustering · nucleus · core · hub
Rate velocity changes
- velocityDirected rate of motion
- inertiaResistance to altered motion
- momentumProduct of mass, velocity
- angularSharp-edged or rawboned
rotation · circular motion · kinematics · dynamics · torque · gyroscope · force · centrifuge
Strength or compulsion
- accelerationRate velocity changes
- gravityMutual mass attraction
- massQuantity of matter
- velocityDirected rate of motion
radius · circular · rotation · angular · momentum · tangential · vector · inertia
Orbiting celestial body
- planetStar-orbiting spherical body
- gravityMutual mass attraction
- ellipseConic section curve
- trajectoryPath of moving object
revolution · spacecraft · orbit · Kepler · eccentricity · inclination · solar system · astronomy
Curve winding around center
- vortexRotating fluid column
- whirlpoolRotating water formation
- cycloneRotating low-pressure storm system
- gyreCircular or spiral motion
convergence · coalescence · funnel · maelstrom · eddy · drain · tornado · swirl
Orbiting celestial body
- revolutionViolent governmental overthrow
- trajectoryPath of moving object
- planetaryOf or relating to worlds
- moonNatural planetary satellite
spacecraft · ellipse · perigee · apogee · transit · eclipse · gravitational pull · sidereal
Wholeness through cohesion
- solidarityUnity among allies
- integrationCombining into a whole
- bindingLegally or morally required
- togethernessState of close connection
centralism · collectivism · consensus · alignment · harmony · bonding · interconnection · federation
inward
Toward the inside
- convergenceProcess of approaching sameness
- focusConcentrated attention point
- centeringPositioning at midpoint
concentration · nucleus · core · centralization · unification · consolidation · gathering · cohesion · integration · synthesis
inward
Toward the inside
- focusingConcentrating on one point
- consolidationCombining into unified whole
- centralizationUnifying control in one place
concentration · gathering · unification · coalescence · aggregation · clustering · nucleus · core · hub · focal point
acceleration
Rate velocity changes
angular · rotation · circular motion · kinematics · dynamics · torque · gyroscope · force · centrifuge · mass
force
Strength or compulsion
- accelerationRate velocity changes
- gravityMutual mass attraction
- massQuantity of matter
velocity · radius · circular · rotation · angular · momentum · tangential · vector · inertia · torque
satellite
Orbiting celestial body
trajectory · revolution · spacecraft · orbit · Kepler · eccentricity · inclination · solar system · astronomy · cosmos
spiral
Curve winding around center
- vortexRotating fluid column
- whirlpoolRotating water formation
- cycloneRotating low-pressure storm system
gyre · convergence · coalescence · funnel · maelstrom · eddy · drain · tornado · swirl · inflow
satellite
Orbiting celestial body
- revolutionViolent governmental overthrow
- trajectoryPath of moving object
- planetaryOf or relating to worlds
moon · spacecraft · ellipse · perigee · apogee · transit · eclipse · gravitational pull · sidereal · geocentric
unity
Wholeness through cohesion
- solidarityUnity among allies
- integrationCombining into a whole
- bindingLegally or morally required
togetherness · centralism · collectivism · consensus · alignment · harmony · bonding · interconnection · federation · unification
- directionsnorth, south, east, west, left
- patternspattern, chevron, geometric pattern, stripes, plaid
- accelerationaccelerate, acceleration, accelerating, speed up, speeding up
- spinningspin, rotate, revolve, whirl, twirl
- river termswaterfall, oxbow, tributary, delta, channel
- inflorescencesinflorescence, raceme, umbel, spike, panicle
centripetalcentrifugal
Directed away from axis
decentralizing · fragmenting · dispersive · disintegrating · fissiparous
centripetalcentrifugal
Directed away from axis
outward · diverging · radiating · efferent · dispersing
- centripetal forceInward acceleration on curved paths