as in archaic
formal
very primitive
—used to describe feelings or qualities that human beings have had from the earliest times
atavistic instincts reverting to atavistic behavior
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atavistic
Adjective
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All wore dark formal kimonos and solemnly made the sign of the cross in front of their faces before starting their prayers — a mix of archaic Japanese and Latin.—
Foster Klug,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025 -
Of note is the incorporation of vocabulary from Ivan’s archaic Norm language, a special touch that entranced me.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
1 June 2025
Adjective
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Demand has stayed relatively strong as inventory levels for used vehicles – 2.2 million – remain low compared with historical levels.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
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To say how Sugar Hill’s Black residents fared in court would spoil the enjoyment of this suspenseful tale, which has put Lurie on a new path in writing historical fiction.—
Paula L. Woods,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Jam girl summer celebrates old-world traditions often associated with homesteading, such as growing your food, cultivating gardens, raising chickens, baking and cooking from scratch, and yes, making jam.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 June 2025
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Inspired by a trip to China and the intricate art of traditional chinoiserie, the print blends old-world craftsmanship with a modern palette of soft green tones.—
Jordi Lippe-McGraw,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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Spencer Platt | Getty Images Accident draws urgency The April 28 incident and previous outages didn’t cause any accidents but the failures raised more worries about an outmoded system and chronic shortages of air traffic controllers, particularly in the busy airspace around New York City.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
7 May 2025
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But those ideas reflect an outmoded view of China and a fundamental misunderstanding of its economic and political system.—
Bob Davis,
Time,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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It was being painted as an out-of-touch, arcane, and self-important social institution from a bygone era, and was doing very little to dispel that characterization.—
David Rosowsky,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
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Gen was stupidly tall and although her shoes were falling apart, her relaxed, graceful pace made Emily think of paintings of gentlemen from bygone eras, the kind on paperbacks like The Age of Innocence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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Since gold is nearly indestructible and has been recycled many times, much of the gold used today dates from prehistoric ages.—
David Szondy
June 07,
New Atlas,
7 June 2025
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More fossils will be needed to know if the prehistoric waterwheels grew snap traps to enclose small aquatic invertebrates, like its modern counterparts, but the lineage was already present during a time when the world was warmer and wetter, and mammals were just beginning to get big.—
Riley Black,
Smithsonian Magazine,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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However, the whole idea of learning needs seems antiquated.—
David James,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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The airport, situated outside the city, was antiquated, but their hotel, the Excelsior, was all Art Deco glamour and gleaming chandeliers.—
Laurie Gwen Shapiro,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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Your town may have a trash pickup walk, a Thanksgiving turkey trot or a stroll to historic sites.—
Elizabeth Passarella,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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Congress passed the historic bank bailout during her first semester.—
Megan Greenwell,
Rolling Stone,
5 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Atavistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atavistic. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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