1
as in rudimentary
belonging to or characteristic of an early level of skill or development
primitive wooden tools were used before the Iron Age
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ancient
relating to or occurring near the beginning of a process, series, or time period
a primitive period in church history when members still lived in communes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
her taste in art was still primitive, but she knew schlock when she saw it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in barbarian
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of primitive
Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2026
Nine twisted jawbones found near the Amazon are pushing scientists to reconsider how long primitive tetrapods survived — and whether southern Pangaea served as a refuge after their relatives in the north went extinct.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
Quanta Magazine, 1 Aug. 2024
Meanwhile, humans have regressed into being primitives that the apes hunt for sport, or feed out of pity from beside their campfire.
—EW.com, 2 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for primitive
Adjective
For those more adventurous there is Camp with the Dinosaurs where campers can stay at one of the primitive campsites; the cost starts at $45 per night.
—Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2026
Nine twisted jawbones found near the Amazon are pushing scientists to reconsider how long primitive tetrapods survived — and whether southern Pangaea served as a refuge after their relatives in the north went extinct.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
It can be used to achieve a lot of other cryptographic primitives.
—Quanta Magazine, 1 Aug. 2024
Meanwhile, humans have regressed into being primitives that the apes hunt for sport, or feed out of pity from beside their campfire.
—EW.com, 2 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for primitive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primitive
Adjective
-
The puppetry, rudimentary special effects, and unflattering costumes mark it as a distinctly Adult Swim show.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Yet standard neurological imaging, such as MRI scans, almost never detects abnormalities, and most physicians, who understand the symptoms’ basis in only the most rudimentary sense, can offer little useful counsel.—
Jacob Stern,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
They are inspired by the stories of ancient cultures, captivated by the serenity of nature's wonders, and exhilarated by the excitement of encountering wildlife in their natural habitats.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The Colosseum has a bright new look following a restoration using the same travertine marble of ancient Rome to recreate parts of columns from 2,000 years ago.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
All the while, its apparent north star is the idea that its subjects are, first and foremost, children, a fact of which we’re reminded through their playful, often naïve interactions.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Sherman’s naïve insistence that the UN Charter, as a treaty obligation, supersedes anything the General Assembly or Security Council may do is a tragic joke.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Yet the fact that Native Americans were not Christians but instead animists meant that Europeans viewed them as heathens, pagans, and barbarians, with few claims to the dignity to which Christians were entitled.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Live television crews captured the chaos, each faction functioning as another barbarian at the gate.—
Jenny Lumet,
Vanity Fair,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Gaining rare access to vibrant young people brimming with energy and doubt, uncertain if tomorrow even exists, the filmmaker reveals how living fiercely in the moment becomes a primal defense.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
15 Mar. 2026
-
My desire to catch this fish felt primal, written in my genes.—
Kim Cross,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The rooms Hotel Thaynes has 128 guest rooms, including six king suites, each designed for simple mountain stays with subtle pops of colors.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Such a vote — which is bound to fail but would put senators on the record — differs from using a simple majority to change the Senate rules, a vote a senator could force after an unsuccessful vote to break a filibuster.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Just as all British became painted as corrupt as part of their national character, so too did all Native people become seen as savage by their biological nature.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Reaction from Illinois politicians was swift, and savage.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
These stones suggest the dinosaur was an opportunistic omnivore, snacking on everything from prehistoric ferns to crunchy insects and small animals.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The island’s modern snake population includes more than 50 species, but none come close to the size of this prehistoric animal.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Primitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primitive. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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