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
The touch of the grill is felt in every corner of the room, like a high-sillage perfume made of the primal, appetite-turbocharging molecules of smoke and meat and sweetness.
—
Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 20 July 2025
Long before Trump and his MAGA acolytes, Modi understood how the primal power of blood could be deployed against the delicate bloom of ideas and abstractions.
—Aatish Taseer, Time, 15 July 2025
Fifty years ago, Jaws kept scores of people away from the ocean–the primal fear of what lurks beneath, a terrifying soundtrack dominated by two low notes, and the constant need for a bigger boat.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 9 July 2025
Denying your primal, masculine nature will only leave you weak and unhappy.
—John McDermott, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for primal
Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 20 July 2025
Long before Trump and his MAGA acolytes, Modi understood how the primal power of blood could be deployed against the delicate bloom of ideas and abstractions.
—Aatish Taseer, Time, 15 July 2025
Fifty years ago, Jaws kept scores of people away from the ocean–the primal fear of what lurks beneath, a terrifying soundtrack dominated by two low notes, and the constant need for a bigger boat.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 9 July 2025
Denying your primal, masculine nature will only leave you weak and unhappy.
—John McDermott, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for primal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primal
Adjective
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Two for one The satellite combines two main instruments that, unlike optical telescopes, can gather data through clouds and at night.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
30 July 2025
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The day has three main goals: To gather with friends and enjoy the taste of beer, to celebrate those responsible for brewing and serving beer and to unite the world under the banner of beer, by celebrating the beers of all nations together on a single day.—
Em Sauter,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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However, Thailand does not recognize the ICJ’s jurisdiction and claims that some areas along the border were never fully demarcated, including the sites of several ancient temples.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
24 July 2025
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To Win Or Not To Win Is Not The Only Question Once AI was a philosophical question – one that religious and spiritual thinkers from ancient cultures asked to better understand the laws of nature.—
Pia Lauritzen,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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Houde said these mammoth animals are a primitive group of proboscideans ('elephantoids') from which modern elephants evolved.—
Joseph J. Kolb,
Fox News,
18 July 2017
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Many are primitive and remote, and don’t have restrooms or water.—
OregonLive.com,
OregonLive.com,
12 July 2017
Adjective
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No, corn sweat is not the primary cause behind the heat wave Cincinnati is experiencing this week.—
Grace Tucker,
The Enquirer,
24 July 2025
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Last month’s mayoral primary election showed New Yorkers want their leaders to commit to bold transformative ideas.—
Tony Simone,
New York Daily News,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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Lemaître referred to the Big Bang as a primeval atom.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
24 July 2025
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As for the chthonic powers who might intrude upon us, the worst must be the Titans, primeval offspring of Gaia and Uranus, Earth and Sky.—
Lewis Hyde,
Harpers Magazine,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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Tour the Lord of the Rings film sets in New Zealand New Zealand’s dramatic natural landscapes tell their own history, dating back to primordial times when volcanic activity sculpted a setting that looks like nowhere else on Earth.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
25 July 2025
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Uneasy strings soundtrack a creature’s tentative first steps out of the primordial sea, and intense, dissonant horns blare as a T. rex engages in an epic battle with a powerful planet eater.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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Where in the past the predominant parties would at least pay lip service by either demanding higher taxes or lower spending, that appears to be out the window in DC these days.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
24 July 2025
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Your predominant dosha—whether vata, pitta, or kapha—affects everything from your personality to your sleep tendencies.—
Anjana Rajbhandary,
Outside Online,
20 July 2025
Adjective
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Both types of stone are fossilized prehistoric corals that are about 350 million years old, according to Visit Charlevoix.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
27 July 2025
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Here, evidence of prehistoric art can be found in rock formations such as the Gruta do Janelão cave, the largest in the canyon.—
Chloe Arrojado,
AFAR Media,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primal. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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