as in basic
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject
even if you're not planning on becoming a scientist, you should have an elemental knowledge of chemistry
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Recent Examples of elemental
For example, the ratio of iron to magnesium in the sun resembles that of Earth and Mars, leading scientists to believe that some elemental ratios in stars reflect that of their planets.
—
Elizabeth Landau, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Mar. 2025
The song’s tender emotional resonance speaks to the feeling of loss on a nearly elemental level.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025
The nine-course degustation is the way to go, with simple, elemental plates like lamb that’s slow-cooked for 24 hours, cured mackerel with a salad of lupini beans, and fish from the market in Nazaré with mushroom stew and a foie gras emulsion.
—Ann Abel, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
His insatiable appetite for worlds comes out of an elemental necessity to ingest fertile planets for sustenance and to maintain balance in the cosmos, forever on the prowl in his world ship, the Taa II.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elemental
Elizabeth Landau, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Mar. 2025
The song’s tender emotional resonance speaks to the feeling of loss on a nearly elemental level.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025
The nine-course degustation is the way to go, with simple, elemental plates like lamb that’s slow-cooked for 24 hours, cured mackerel with a salad of lupini beans, and fish from the market in Nazaré with mushroom stew and a foie gras emulsion.
—Ann Abel, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
His insatiable appetite for worlds comes out of an elemental necessity to ingest fertile planets for sustenance and to maintain balance in the cosmos, forever on the prowl in his world ship, the Taa II.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elemental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elemental
Adjective
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In general, the human respondents tended to give similar answers, as reflected in their ratings—suggesting that people share a basic observational understanding of social interactions.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
24 Apr. 2025
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That’s more due to basic economic calculations, says Lange, rather than technological difficulties.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Go Nuts For Reading program encourages elementary and middle school students to participate in an eight-book reading challenge at the beginning of the year, leading to free game tickets and a visit from the squirrel mascots, Nutzy and Nutasha.—
Brennan Long,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2025
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Authorities said the two juveniles were elementary and middle school age, Alaska’s News Source reported.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Instead of making something miraculous out of rudimentary materials, Government Cheese has a pantry of fine ingredients but never puts together anything palatable.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Apr. 2025
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This enables the system to plan novel action sequences to achieve specified goals—a rudimentary form of reasoning and planning.—
Jason D. Greenblatt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The introductory model features an Iceco fridge, Dometic Go water storage and faucet system with removable inset sink basin, cutting board worktop, and dual-burner Cook Partner gas stove that fits atop the drawer.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
21 Apr. 2025
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Neither party does a better job As any student of introductory statistics learns, correlation doesn’t imply causation.—
Christopher S. Warshaw,
The Conversation,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order Wednesday that aims to alter how colleges and universities are accredited, reshaping a fundamental aspect of American higher education.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
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The only fundamental differences in the 2025 model are the stronger hinge and improved dust resistance.—
Iyaz Akhtar,
PC Magazine,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elemental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elemental. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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