as in basic
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject
many students lacked even a basal familiarity with the topic
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of basal
Increasing the theropod record of Europe: a new basal spinosaurid from the Enciso Group of the Cameros Basin (La Rioja, Spain).
—
Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024
It’s called a basal plate, which is horticulture-speak for the spot on a plant where roots and stems meet.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 July 2024
Prior to the treatment, weakly affiliated Democrats had a 19 percent higher basal testosterone than those who identified strongly with the party.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Avoid disturbing the basal leaves by cutting stems 2 to 3 inches above the soil line.
07 of 10
Peony
Botanical Name: Paeonia spp.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for basal 
Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024
It’s called a basal plate, which is horticulture-speak for the spot on a plant where roots and stems meet.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 July 2024
Prior to the treatment, weakly affiliated Democrats had a 19 percent higher basal testosterone than those who identified strongly with the party.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Avoid disturbing the basal leaves by cutting stems 2 to 3 inches above the soil line.
07 of 10
Peony
Botanical Name: Paeonia spp.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for basal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for basal
Adjective
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Each new hunt throws a curveball to keep things challenging while teaching you basic controls and combat skills.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
11 Feb. 2025
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Doctors who have defected in recent years often speak of poor working conditions and shortages of everything from medicine to basic health care supplies.—
Edward Szekeres,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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What's happening: Sixth grade will be reconfigured into the elementary buildings, while middle schools will focus on seventh and eighth grades.—
Linh Ta,
Axios,
12 Feb. 2025
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According to the department, its elementary and secondary programs serve more than 50 million students in about 98,000 public schools and 32,000 private schools.—
Austin Denean,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The new entrenchment tools genuinely come in handy, allowing players to build rudimentary fox holes and trenches that are useful to weather an enemy assault.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
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Some of its elements were rudimentary, in a way that revealed the divides in American society: instructors spoke about healthy eating, and a motivational speaker gave a talk on how to project confidence.—
Dexter Filkins,
The New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The Heat will hold an introductory press conference for Wiggins, Mitchell and Kyle Anderson on Sunday at 9 a.m. at Kaseya Center ahead of their first practice with the team.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
9 Feb. 2025
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Rather than injecting the regular introductory weekly dose, people are only taking half that amount or less.—
Beth Landman,
The Hollywood Reporter,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Comprehensive Diagnostics One of the hallmarks of medical retreats is the use of advanced diagnostic tools to uncover underlying health issues.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
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And what is the underlying physiological basis of these benefits?—
Katia Hetter,
CNN,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Her findings shifted scientific consensus toward accepting dark matter as a fundamental component of the universe, opening new realms in astronomy and physics.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
11 Feb. 2025
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But there’s another fundamental power that Congress as an institution has largely deferred to the executive without so much as a protest: the power to declare war.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near basal
Cite this Entry
“Basal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/basal. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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