1
as in rudimentary
belonging to or characteristic of an early level of skill or development
primitive wooden tools were used before the Iron Age
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ancient
relating to or occurring near the beginning of a process, series, or time period
a primitive period in church history when members still lived in communes
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3
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
her taste in art was still primitive, but she knew schlock when she saw it
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as in barbarian
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of primitive
Mike Giuliano, Howard County Times, 23 June 2017
A lot of the campgrounds are primitive, and lack some common amenities - including water.
—Jamie Hale, OregonLive.com, 6 July 2017
EW.com, 2 Nov. 2023
But better reasons inhere in the rush of new ideas that have reinvigorated the science of paleontology and forced us to recast murky old primitives as efficient and worthy creatures in their own terms.
—Stephen Jay Gould, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
See all Example Sentences for primitive 
Adjective
Constructed in front of the stone ruins of the Patapsco Female Institute Historic Park in Ellicott City, that caveman-evocative set provides a suitably primitive stomping ground for the monstrous Caliban.
—Mike Giuliano, Howard County Times, 23 June 2017
A lot of the campgrounds are primitive, and lack some common amenities - including water.
—Jamie Hale, OregonLive.com, 6 July 2017
Noun
Meanwhile, humans have regressed into being primitives that the apes hunt for sport, or feed out of pity from beside their campfire.
—EW.com, 2 Nov. 2023
But better reasons inhere in the rush of new ideas that have reinvigorated the science of paleontology and forced us to recast murky old primitives as efficient and worthy creatures in their own terms.
—Stephen Jay Gould, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
See all Example Sentences for primitive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primitive
Adjective
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In truth, the story feels like a rudimentary framework to drive the world and gameplay, especially early on.PCMAG, PCMAG, 13 Jan. 2025
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Before the house was put on the market, the seller dutifully encased the existing stair in concrete so that the entrance was no longer accessible and punched a rudimentary new door on the ground floor.Julie Lasky, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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As in the novel the story is based on, the events kick off with the Yellow Turban Rebellion, which was a revolt during the late Eastern Han dynasty of ancient China.Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2025
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Suddenly, with nearly all China’s ancient sites trammelled by the rush to modernization, the Chinese have grown nostalgic for their history.Han Ong, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Those artists whose work expressed what appeared to be an unexamined faith in art’s transcendent potential were seen as ideologically naive, insufficiently theorized, and dismissible.David A. Ross, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2025
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The series stars Ella Purnell as Lucy, a naive Vault Dweller who leaves the relative safety of her Vault to go out into the wastelands to find her father.Erik Kain, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Lucius comes into his uneasy heritage after defeat in the erroneous homeland where he is considered a barbarian.Armond White, National Review, 6 Dec. 2024
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Given the dearth of direct evidence for stimulant use among the barbarians of Europe, the researchers decided to look for indirect clues.Jason Fields, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Studies involving these prehistoric creatures often rely on teeth above all else; a durable enamel coating helps teeth fossilize reliably, although enamel thickness differs among dinosaur species.Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 1 Jan. 2025
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Of course, there is no direct information on prehistoric fighting styles, so van Dijk and Mors relied on basic biomechanics of combat movements with similar weapons detailed in historic manuals.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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My top answer is a simple and no-brainer recommendation: Wash your hands with soap and water.Amanda Schupak, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2025
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Adidas Originals Stan Smith Sneakers These iconic Stan Smith sneakers offer form and function thanks to their simple design, soft leather material (no blisters here!), and roomy fit.Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Often regarded by historians as a collection of savage tribes, the Scythians emerge as a pivotal force of the ancient world in this monumental history.The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2023
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Nearly 32 years ago, Rodney King’s savage beating by police in Los Angeles prompted heartfelt calls for change.Aaron Morrison, Claudia Lauer and Adrian Sainz, Anchorage Daily News, 29 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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The fear of being next on the social media chopping block prevents us from admitting our ugly insecurities, our primal urges, or our more taboo thoughts.Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 31 Dec. 2024
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But longtime plunge aficionados say the allure often boils down to one primal need: community.Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 29 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Primitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primitive. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
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