as in basic
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject
many students lacked even a basal familiarity with the topic
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Recent Examples of basal
Regular repetition starts to shift the pattern from your prefrontal cortex — the region of your brain responsible for willpower, complex decision-making and emotional regulation — to a different area of the brain called the basal ganglia.
—
Dr. Faye Begeti, CNBC, 23 June 2025
The first relates to the minute amount of glucose found in basal tears: Typical tear glucose levels are on the order of 0.1 to 0.6 millimole, while glucose levels in the blood range from about 4 to 6 mmol.
—IEEE Spectrum, 25 July 2017
Prune these back almost to the ground as basal growth appears.
—Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 10 May 2025
What surprised the researchers was that whenever a bird practiced, dopamine levels in the basal ganglia increased.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for basal
Dr. Faye Begeti, CNBC, 23 June 2025
The first relates to the minute amount of glucose found in basal tears: Typical tear glucose levels are on the order of 0.1 to 0.6 millimole, while glucose levels in the blood range from about 4 to 6 mmol.
—IEEE Spectrum, 25 July 2017
Prune these back almost to the ground as basal growth appears.
—Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 10 May 2025
What surprised the researchers was that whenever a bird practiced, dopamine levels in the basal ganglia increased.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for basal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for basal
Adjective
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Superintendents like Gearing have decried the state for not increasing its basic allotment — the base level building block for the school finance system — since 2019.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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But in the brave new world of agentic AI, such basic checks won’t be enough to catch AI agents wandering around the internet to do tasks on their owners’ behalf.—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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By starting early with high school and even elementary education, institutions can introduce students to the importance of natural resources and the role of mining in the energy transition.—
Ed Macha,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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Breakfasts will cost $1.50 for elementary students and $1.75 for intermediate and high school students.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
15 July 2025
Adjective
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Few technologies, and certainly few so rudimentary in design and execution, have done more for the betterment of the world than shipping containers.—
Tony Morley,
National Review,
25 July 2025
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This is the most simple kind of AI agent that basically provides a rudimentary function.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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The apparent deletion was noticed on social media the same day that comments from Krauskopf's introductory press conference resurfaced.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 July 2025
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Head coach of Mike Brown of the New York Knicks speaks to media during his introductory press conference at Knicks Training Facility on July 08, 2025 in Tarrytown, New York.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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Democrats have won the last two contests for governor and may now enjoy a slight underlying edge in midterms because of their high-turnout base.—
Craig Gilbert,
jsonline.com,
18 July 2025
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While the research at this intersection is still emerging, the underlying behavioral patterns are well established.—
Prince Sarpong,
The Conversation,
17 July 2025
Adjective
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One answer to think about is this fundamental fact that nature itself is quantum.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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But to dwell on Hamas’ crimes as some sort of justification is to ignore the fundamental truth that two wrongs don’t make a right.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Basal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/basal. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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