1
as in main
coming before all others in importance
the primal theme of the essay is toleration of religious diversity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ancient
relating to or occurring near the beginning of a process, series, or time period
there was a period of primal idealism after the founding of the republic and before the rise of partisan politics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of primal
An ordinary event — like my toddler screaming — would trigger me, releasing a valve that had been shut for decades and hurtling me back into a primal rage.
—
Jane Park, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
Mitsuye’s panic flipped into something more primal, more mom-like.
—Andre Mouchard, Daily News, 9 May 2026
There’s a physically primal element that feels new to Hathaway here, and not just in the film’s early convulsive silent dance sequence.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Minnesota’s secret stuff was a potent, primal concoction of hustle, grit and determination.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for primal
Jane Park, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
Mitsuye’s panic flipped into something more primal, more mom-like.
—Andre Mouchard, Daily News, 9 May 2026
There’s a physically primal element that feels new to Hathaway here, and not just in the film’s early convulsive silent dance sequence.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Minnesota’s secret stuff was a potent, primal concoction of hustle, grit and determination.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for primal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primal
Adjective
-
Plenty of helpful signs are posted throughout, and main paths traverse the park.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
This intersection between kitchens and spirits spills over from main courses into desserts too.—
Carinne Geil Botta,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
In addition to traditional treatments, there are holistic therapies like sound healing, Reiki, and shirodhara, an ancient Ayurvedic remedy.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
-
There are both national and individual narratives for an ancient object or work of art.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
The primitive crops were critical to early agriculture and, in more recent times, have been a cheaper alternative to animal proteins.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
18 May 2026
-
However, several primitive campsites, boat ramps, and fishing piers sprinkled across the area give plenty of access to enjoy the lake at your leisure.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Daniella Segura Click the link below for the USA TODAY Network's California June primary voter guide — registration deadline, ballot drop boxes, early voting, and how to track your ballot through Election Day.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, about a kilometre away, workers began clearing debris from the old site of the primary-care center, making room for a permanent replacement.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
This 50-square-mile crescent in the Pacific has the southernmost coral reef in the world and a wealth of wilderness walks that include everything from primeval banyan forests to endangered ground-dwelling birds.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Dec. 2025
-
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California Time slows to a primeval pace in the sequoia groves that make up Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, where arboreal giants have watched the seasons come and go for more than 2,000 years.—
Sarah L. Stewart,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Such stars are the key quarry that JWST was designed for—stellar orbs composed of the pristine, primordial hydrogen and helium gas that was summoned into being by the big bang.—
Lee Billings,
Scientific American,
13 May 2026
-
This invisible scaffolding, the researchers speculate, is what allowed the galaxy to form in the first place, with dark matter’s gravity pulling in the primordial gas needed to form the first stars.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
But a centennial is as good a time as any to fill in what the predominant narrative often leaves out.—
Jasmine Desiree,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
The Caribbean Princess completed an 11-day voyage that had departed on April 28 from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, during which passengers and crew suffered from an outbreak of the highly contagious virus, which has predominant symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
That makes this early matchup, coming off the bye, against the Chargers at Arrowhead so vital.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
The top of the order executed to perfection to give the Chargers the early lead Thursday.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Primal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primal. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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