1
as in main
coming before all others in importance
the primal theme of the essay is toleration of religious diversity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ancient
relating to or occurring near the beginning of a process, series, or time period
there was a period of primal idealism after the founding of the republic and before the rise of partisan politics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of primal
The theology in such conflicts usually masks more primal power struggles and still tends to make the wars and warriors more fanatical and bloodthirsty.
—
Andreas Kluth, Twin Cities, 3 Apr. 2026
Evil Kirk is a frightening, primal menace, skulking around the corridors like a feral beast, chugging brandy and assaulting Yeoman Rand with no conscience.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 22 Mar. 2026
Gaining rare access to vibrant young people brimming with energy and doubt, uncertain if tomorrow even exists, the filmmaker reveals how living fiercely in the moment becomes a primal defense.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 Mar. 2026
My desire to catch this fish felt primal, written in my genes.
—Kim Cross, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for primal
Andreas Kluth, Twin Cities, 3 Apr. 2026
Evil Kirk is a frightening, primal menace, skulking around the corridors like a feral beast, chugging brandy and assaulting Yeoman Rand with no conscience.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 22 Mar. 2026
Gaining rare access to vibrant young people brimming with energy and doubt, uncertain if tomorrow even exists, the filmmaker reveals how living fiercely in the moment becomes a primal defense.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 Mar. 2026
My desire to catch this fish felt primal, written in my genes.
—Kim Cross, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for primal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primal
Adjective
-
The deep main compartment is large enough to fit even straw hats and nicer shoes without squishing them, and this trunk looks equally right in an airport or the lobby of the Carlyle Hotel, Mom’s favorite.—
Amanda Eyre Ward,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
-
The former senator is another big Democratic recruiting win and is a main reason why this state is a Toss-Up.—
Domenico Montanaro,
NPR,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Summer means movies 🍿 From ancient Greece to a galaxy far, far away, the summer movie season has a blockbuster lineup of epic, sci-fi, superheroes and heroines to draw film fans to theaters.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Each year, the city welcomes many curious visitors to experience the magnetism of ancient tradition meeting futuristic technology head-on.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This was a time when roads were primitive, and the need was to link cities with rural areas.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Any set of prime numbers is automatically primitive, because primes have no factors (except themselves and the number one).—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Opponents hope to block the map from taking effect before congressional primary elections in August.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
The primary election will be June 30.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
This 50-square-mile crescent in the Pacific has the southernmost coral reef in the world and a wealth of wilderness walks that include everything from primeval banyan forests to endangered ground-dwelling birds.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Dec. 2025
-
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California Time slows to a primeval pace in the sequoia groves that make up Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, where arboreal giants have watched the seasons come and go for more than 2,000 years.—
Sarah L. Stewart,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
This primordial gulp, creating a condition known as endosymbiosis (also thought to be the origin story of mitochondria), is believed to have happened just once.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
4 May 2026
-
Both spring from some primordial, paradoxical desire to see oneself and to lose oneself — to be acknowledged by the vast universe as something singular with meaning and purpose, and also to merge with that vastness, to overflow the constraints of one tiny body, one narrow soul.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
American Airlines, which is the predominant carrier at Miami International, and United Airlines, which also maintains a significant Florida presence, also pledged assistance.—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
1 May 2026
-
Habeas petitions have become the predominant path for immigrants seeking release from detention.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Washington and Sacramento have made law enforcement’s job harder with early prisoner release and reduced penalties for repeat offenders.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
By late September, early October, more than 90% of everyone over 16 had received at least one vaccination dose.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Primal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primal. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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