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
For one thing, human brains appear to be wired for short term gains, a kind of primal instinct of survival that puts a premium on what could be captured today.
—
Harry Kraemer, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
At their heart is some primal fear: that evil, or evil people, can control us without our even realizing it.
—Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primal
Harry Kraemer, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
At their heart is some primal fear: that evil, or evil people, can control us without our even realizing it.
—Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primal
Adjective
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The first drop pays homage to Jackson, Wyo., where Season 2 begins, after the two main characters found temporary refuge there in Season 1.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Apr. 2025
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Boseman, who died in 2020 at age 43, was completely committed to his main character of T'Challa in the Marvel movie about the advanced kingdom of Wakanda, Coogler recalled on a recent episode of Power 105.1 FM's The Breakfast Club.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The museum has a world-class collection, including works by iconic artists like da Vinci, Monet, and Van Gogh, alongside ancient artifacts.—
Susmita Baral,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Apr. 2025
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Leland presented European material as the survival of an ancient pagan cult—moreover, a paganism that had been demonized by Christianity.—
Angelica Frey,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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The port has a heavy military presence in addition to being a primary hub for fuel imports, Yemeni sources said.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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Some of these storms could be severe, with hail and damaging winds as the primary threats.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The campground setting has a primeval feel, situated in dense old growth forest along the scenic Smith River, where banana slugs frolic (okay, maybe move slowly and strangely).—
Jenna Blough,
Outside Online,
8 Apr. 2025
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The little mountain park lay almost at our feet, a gem of unspoiled primeval beauty.—
Percy Brown,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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To get around that, the scientists first tap into the fertilized egg of a pink pigeon and extract what are known as primordial germ cells (PGCs)—the cells that eventually become sperm and egg.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
7 Apr. 2025
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My body, equipped with the primordial fear of starvation, was a formidable foe.—
Emma Pattee,
Glamour,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In 2000, Smithfield Foods, the state’s predominant producer of hogs, agreed to pay $1 per hog produced in the state — for a total of up to $2 million — into a fund, with part of that money used to research more environmentally friendly ways of handling hog waste.—
Gavin Off,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2025
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Common cold and flu are hitting hardest, with influenza A the predominant strain.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Part of what makes America beautiful is its special creatures like the prehistoric-looking Mojave desert tortoise, whose survival in Nevada is more dire since a federal grant awarded to protect it from being run over by cars is among the frozen grants.—
Noël Fletcher,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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Yet, no evidence of cooking or consumption has been found—unlike some other prehistoric sites where frog bones bear cut marks or signs of burning.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primal. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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