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
Its movement still stirs something elemental, equal parts comfort and awe.
—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Spectroscopy could split light emitted from objects into a kind of barcode that characterized elemental makeup.
—
Quanta Magazine,
28 May 2026
The stars' elemental makeup isn't sufficient for determining the galaxy.
—
Julian Dossett,
Space.com,
27 May 2026
But there’s something more than trolling at work, something elemental in the response to Scranton.
—
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for elemental
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Spectroscopy could split light emitted from objects into a kind of barcode that characterized elemental makeup.
—
Quanta Magazine,
28 May 2026
The stars' elemental makeup isn't sufficient for determining the galaxy.
—
Julian Dossett,
Space.com,
27 May 2026
But there’s something more than trolling at work, something elemental in the response to Scranton.
—
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for elemental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elemental
Adjective
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From bold color contrast to sheer layering and retro prints, caftans can be styled far beyond a basic beach coverup.
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The lawsuit comes as consumers report struggling to afford basic necessities.
Adjective
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Police were called to the elementary and middle school, and authorities are now working to identify the deceased individual.
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Biblical texts on the list include a picture-book adaptation of the David and Goliath story for elementary students and passages about Adam and Eve for older students.
Adjective
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The outpost may resemble something of a rudimentary city on the moon.
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The Athletic’s Michael Cox gave a detailed breakdown that walked through the tactical hypotheses, but there might be a more rudimentary explanation for this trend.
Adjective
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Consider starting each rule section with a positive introductory statement.
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The introductory course for PPEL required students to read, on average, just twenty-seven pages a week.
Adjective
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But there are ample more fundamental reasons to add capacity.
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Although relatively few technical details about the Common Combat Vessel have been released, the decision signals a fundamental change in how the Royal Navy intends to build and operate its future surface fleet.
Cite this Entry
“Elemental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elemental. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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