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
In the film, McAdams plays Linda, a timid employee who is stranded on a desert island with her sleazy boss (Dylan O’Brien) and begins to resort to a more primal personality.
—
Jenelle Riley, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
Seeing that the troupe has been mining primal drama for 100 years now—Greek myth, political rebellion, human sacrifice, and every shade of grief—that’s a big ask.
—Faye Arthurs, Air Mail, 17 Jan. 2026
But the primal drive to hook the first walleye of winter—and post the trophy on social media—can lead to questionable choices.
—Stephanie Pearson, Outside, 14 Jan. 2026
But there is a primal scream stuck in our collective throat.
—Phil Morris The Minnesota Star Tribune, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for primal
Jenelle Riley, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
Seeing that the troupe has been mining primal drama for 100 years now—Greek myth, political rebellion, human sacrifice, and every shade of grief—that’s a big ask.
—Faye Arthurs, Air Mail, 17 Jan. 2026
But the primal drive to hook the first walleye of winter—and post the trophy on social media—can lead to questionable choices.
—Stephanie Pearson, Outside, 14 Jan. 2026
But there is a primal scream stuck in our collective throat.
—Phil Morris The Minnesota Star Tribune, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for primal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primal
Adjective
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White actually carried main voice Terry Gannon through parts of the broadcast.—
John Cherwa,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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Shah’s daughter, Smita Shah, is a finance committee vice chair for Stratton’s main campaign fund, Juliana for Illinois.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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First physical evidence found in ancient vessel causes 'immense excitement'.—
,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
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This ancient grain is rich in protein, fiber, and vitamins (such as magnesium), which can aid digestion and support heart health.—
Ashia Aubourg,
Outside,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Initially, these are very primitive – buy coffee, take a photo of a receipt in a cafe.—
Daria Tarasova-Markina,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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Later on, as some of the brightest extended objects visible with even the most primitive of telescopes, planetary nebulae are numerous and prominent in the catalogues of astronomers, with the first ones spotted way back in the 1700s.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The Gates Foundation and OpenAI have launched a $50 million program to bring AI capabilities to 1,000 primary health care clinics across Africa.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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The Amazon-like company has been subjected to a number of investigations, raids, and inspections initiated by the Korea Fair Trade Commission, the country’s primary antitrust regulator, in recent years.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
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The galaxy also appears to have cleared its surrounding region of primordial hydrogen gas — an unexpected finding, the researchers say, given that the early universe was filled with neutral hydrogen.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
4 Feb. 2026
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Land is a primal word, primordial even, like lava.—
Tommy Orange,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But the predominant response has been one of welcome, support and encouragement.—
Will Barker,
TheWeek,
10 Feb. 2026
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For the past fifty years, the predominant theory held that our capacity to parse complicated syntax rested on specialized, innate faculties.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Early on in cosmic history, the Universe was composed primarily of hydrogen and helium, as no substantial quantities of heavier elements were formed during the early stages of the hot Big Bang.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Feb. 2026
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And since leaving prison in early January, the preacher has wasted no time in spreading his gospel in a tranche of new songs published on his social media platforms.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Primal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primal. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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