as in ancient
relating to or occurring near the beginning of a process, series, or time period
primeval forests slowly disappearing as the climate changed
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Recent Examples of primeval
Does Dellinger’s death suggest that Utah Territory, and by extension America itself, will always be driven by primeval conflict?
—
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2025
The ridge itself is a timeline across the landscape, linking today’s elaborate gardens to the east with sunset views over the primeval topography of conserved lands to the west.
—airmail.news, 16 Nov. 2024
Yakushima Island, located 37 miles south from the southern tip of Kyushu Island, is home to a primeval temperate rainforest with thousand-year-old cedar trees, known as yakusugi.
—Anna Mazurek, AFAR Media, 16 Dec. 2024
Goth, primeval décor is in the air, but this is an extreme case.
—Jocelyn Silver, Architectural Digest, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for primeval
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2025
The ridge itself is a timeline across the landscape, linking today’s elaborate gardens to the east with sunset views over the primeval topography of conserved lands to the west.
—airmail.news, 16 Nov. 2024
Yakushima Island, located 37 miles south from the southern tip of Kyushu Island, is home to a primeval temperate rainforest with thousand-year-old cedar trees, known as yakusugi.
—Anna Mazurek, AFAR Media, 16 Dec. 2024
Goth, primeval décor is in the air, but this is an extreme case.
—Jocelyn Silver, Architectural Digest, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for primeval
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primeval
Adjective
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The dire wolf genome analyzed to determine what those changes were was extracted from two ancient samples—one a 13,000-year-old tooth found in Sheridan Pit, Ohio, the other a 72,000-year-old ear bone unearthed in American Falls, Idaho.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
7 Apr. 2025
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Colossal scientists have created three dire wolf pups by using ancient DNA, cloning and gene-editing technology to alter the genes of a gray wolf, the prehistoric dire wolf’s closest living relative, the company announced Monday.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
7 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 truth is, sure—the odd primal scream or rage run probably isn’t gonna hurt ya.—
Carolyn L. Todd,
SELF,
21 Mar. 2025
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Gaga ended the song with a primal scream, her eyes wide and unblinking.—
Rachel Syme,
The New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The bear's remains provide a glimpse into the region's prehistoric fauna and climatic conditions.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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These megafauna ate prehistoric avocados whole, spreading the pits—and, as a consequence, the fruits—across the region.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This includes what appear to be regions of high and low density in this sea of primordial hydrogen and helium.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
18 Mar. 2025
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The rest of my day follows a familiar, primordial pattern: paddle, swim, birdsong, eat, drink, sunscreen, paddle, swim, sunscreen, birds, drink, eat, paddle, swim, paddle.—
Dan Rubinstein,
Outside Online,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The layoffs are expected to shrink HHS to 62,000 positions, lopping off nearly a quarter of its staff — 10,000 jobs through layoffs and another 10,000 workers who took early retirement and voluntary separation offers.—
Carla K. Johnson,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2025
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Officials said approximately 10,000 jobs will be cut through layoffs, with an additional 10,000 positions eliminated via early retirements and voluntary separations.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primeval.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primeval. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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