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
But the present and former officials said the driving force for people who agree to spy on their own country is often more primal.
—
Yossi Melman, ProPublica, 7 Aug. 2025
Though Welch has not yet announced it, admirers of the singer believe the primal scream video is part of the ramping-up promotion for her as-yet-unannounced follow-up to 2022’s Dance Fever album.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 12 Aug. 2025
Nick battles against primal urges and the choice to preserve his family, as music from James Brown, Janis Joplin, Engelbert Humperdinck, Tom Jones and Bruce Springsteen spell out the high-stakes emotions at play.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 12 Aug. 2025
The film is permeated by pathos and a primal longing for safety.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primal
Yossi Melman, ProPublica, 7 Aug. 2025
Though Welch has not yet announced it, admirers of the singer believe the primal scream video is part of the ramping-up promotion for her as-yet-unannounced follow-up to 2022’s Dance Fever album.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 12 Aug. 2025
Nick battles against primal urges and the choice to preserve his family, as music from James Brown, Janis Joplin, Engelbert Humperdinck, Tom Jones and Bruce Springsteen spell out the high-stakes emotions at play.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 12 Aug. 2025
The film is permeated by pathos and a primal longing for safety.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primal
Adjective
-
His main ride is a blue 2005 TJ with a four-inch lift and some other add-ons.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
USA Today,
24 Aug. 2025
-
The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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These were laid down by ancient rivers eroding the surrounding mountains.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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But the Turkish Riviera is ripe with relics and ancient architecture to uncover.—
Kaitlyn McInnis,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Houde said these mammoth animals are a primitive group of proboscideans ('elephantoids') from which modern elephants evolved.—
Joseph J. Kolb,
Fox News,
18 July 2017
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Many are primitive and remote, and don’t have restrooms or water.—
OregonLive.com,
OregonLive.com,
12 July 2017
Adjective
-
Timmons was awarded sole custody and primary placement of the children in February 2024.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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Our primary data source was a Department of Health and Human Services website showing grant terminations.—
Henry Larweh,
Miami Herald,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The wilder West, meanwhile, is marked by vast, primeval cliffs that drop into an unforgiving ocean.—
Zoë Dare Hall,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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Suddenly, 43 seconds later, the sky cracked open and light came screaming out in a primeval flash of energy.—
David Perlmutt,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Known as the Cosmological Lithium Problem, the primordial abundance of this light metal has puzzled astrophysicists for more than two decades now.—
Bruce Dorminey,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
-
There’s not only this primordial, extraterrestrial Xenomorph, [the] threatening past catching up with us, but this future, this synthetic AI [and] artificial human future is looming, is on the horizon.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The original style of most sauces is spicy-sweet with molasses, ketchup, and hickory flavors being the predominant notes.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
23 Aug. 2025
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Policy shakeups were the predominant reason for the volatility in the first half of 2025.—
John Buckingham,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The findings challenge conventional interpretations of prehistoric violence as bring indiscriminate or committed for pragmatic reasons.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
21 Aug. 2025
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Petrified Forest National Park provides visitors with an insight into prehistoric Arizona.—
Olivia Rose,
AZCentral.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primal. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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