as in basic
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject
even if you're not planning on becoming a scientist, you should have an elemental knowledge of chemistry
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of elemental
The first run after an injury a few years ago—and down the Batur volcano after sunrise, with an elemental feeling of freedom that takes you back to childhood days.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Soldner exemplifies the federal government in its most elemental form.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
So, music is one component, a very important component, fundamental and even elemental.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2026
The décor is light, airy, and elemental—wood, stone, bamboo—the aesthetic embodiment of a long exhale.
—Susan Casey, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elemental
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Soldner exemplifies the federal government in its most elemental form.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
So, music is one component, a very important component, fundamental and even elemental.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2026
The décor is light, airy, and elemental—wood, stone, bamboo—the aesthetic embodiment of a long exhale.
—Susan Casey, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elemental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elemental
Adjective
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Crown Princess Amalia, the heir to the Dutch throne, completed her basic military training last month as a volunteer reservist in the army.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
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College faculty are then forced to spend instructional time reteaching basic math and writing, which detracts from the advanced material a college course is meant to deliver.—
Andrea Mays,
Oc Register,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In 2020, the district moved to a fully dual language model for elementary students, meaning all students learned in both English and Spanish, according to East Aurora Executive Director of Language Acquisition and Early Learning Rita Guzman, unless their parents opted out.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
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The native San Diegan spent his elementary years between Albuquerque, New Mexico and San Diego.—
Cyril A. Reinicke,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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First signs of rudimentary Valentine notes began appearing much later, in the 1500s, according to Britannica.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
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The first is risk detection, which can be solved with more rudimentary machine learning.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Register now and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 20% off.—
Lizzie Assa,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2026
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Three of her friends joined her introductory lesson on a recent Friday evening, along with this reporter.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This, too, is a fundamental sociological insight.—
Wendy Nelson Espeland,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
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But Marcus noted that utility regulation is under state and local authorities, meaning White House action is limited to rhetorical headline risk rather than a fundamental shift in policy.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elemental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elemental. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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