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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of elemental
Numerous health conditions can benefit from an elemental diet.
—
Patty Weasler, Rn, Bsn, Verywell Health, 16 Jan. 2025
What is water if not the most plain and elemental substance?
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 10 Jan. 2025
However, nowadays, most elemental magnesium is obtained by electrolysis of magnesium chloride, which can be obtained in virtually unlimited quantities from salt water.
—David Bressan, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Influences have a way of appearing, like family traits, in idiosyncratic details such as the turn of a head or position of a hand, but here the steps and styles have been stripped of attitude and etiquette, to their elemental forms.
—Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for elemental 
Patty Weasler, Rn, Bsn, Verywell Health, 16 Jan. 2025
What is water if not the most plain and elemental substance?
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 10 Jan. 2025
However, nowadays, most elemental magnesium is obtained by electrolysis of magnesium chloride, which can be obtained in virtually unlimited quantities from salt water.
—David Bressan, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Influences have a way of appearing, like family traits, in idiosyncratic details such as the turn of a head or position of a hand, but here the steps and styles have been stripped of attitude and etiquette, to their elemental forms.
—Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for elemental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elemental
Adjective
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The emotional crisis of confidence: Trust has been eroded—not just in leaders, but even in basic systems and emergency services, like an assurance that your local fire hydrant will work.—
John Hope Bryant,
TIME,
18 Jan. 2025
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This period, a decade after the end of the Korean War, is often depicted—by my parents’ generation, who were children at the time, and later in books, film, and TV—as one of hunger and hardship, of basic survival.—
E. Tammy Kim,
The New Yorker,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In a message to families Tuesday, District 205 Superintendent Robert McBride said the decision was made because most of the elementary districts that feed into the high school were also having students report to class.—
Mike Nolan,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2025
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One is that the course is just elementary easy – like show up and get your A, easy.—
Derek Newton,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The most rudimentary method is something anyone with a computer can do at home: asking a chatbot to produce many responses to a single question.—
Lauren Leffer,
Scientific American,
23 Jan. 2025
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The museum displays the rudimentary equipment and clothing that alpinists once used and showcases their great achievements in conquering mountains here and abroad.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Lynch, who played for Carroll during their successful years together with the Seattle Seahawks, was in attendance at Carroll's introductory press conference in Las Vegas on Monday.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
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Speaking to the media at his introductory press conference as the Atlanta Falcons' new defensive coordinator, Ulbrich was asked to reflect on his period with the Jets after taking over as head coach once Robert Saleh was fired just five games into the season.—
Paulina Dedaj,
Fox News,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Editor’s picks Lynch saw Transcendental Meditation as fundamental to his survival as an artist in Hollywood.—
Claire Hoffman,
Rolling Stone,
18 Jan. 2025
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At the heart of New York’s defensive struggles lies a fundamental breakdown in what Tom Thibodeau often emphasizes: moving on the flight of the ball.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
18 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Elemental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elemental. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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