as in ancient
relating to or occurring near the beginning of a process, series, or time period
all life on Earth supposedly came from a primordial ooze in existence many millions of years ago
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Recent Examples of primordial
That question is a primordial, primitive question that animates many of us our whole lives without realizing it.
—
Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 16 Jan. 2026
There’s always been something primordial about the show’s appeal.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
Testing an idea older than the discovery itself To explore this mystery, the researchers turned to an idea proposed decades ago but never confirmed—primordial black holes.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 3 Jan. 2026
Another study, published in March, found that microlightning in primordial mist may have sparked the chemical formation of the building blocks of life more than 3 billion years ago.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primordial
Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 16 Jan. 2026
There’s always been something primordial about the show’s appeal.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
Testing an idea older than the discovery itself To explore this mystery, the researchers turned to an idea proposed decades ago but never confirmed—primordial black holes.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 3 Jan. 2026
Another study, published in March, found that microlightning in primordial mist may have sparked the chemical formation of the building blocks of life more than 3 billion years ago.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primordial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primordial
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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Dog Day Afternoon is the third rail of male love and loneliness—a primal scream from the sweltering streets of a stone broke New York City.—
Jenny Lumet,
Vanity Fair,
10 Feb. 2026
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Focusing strictly on survival, the History series strands 10 individuals by themselves in the wilderness, testing their primal instincts and adaptability.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 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 new research focused on three Prototaxites fossils unearthed in the Rhynie chert, a prehistoric land ecosystem near Aberdeen, Scotland.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
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With previous showstoppers such as The Blooming of the Mosasaurs—a bold blue ensemble inspired by a prehistoric marine reptile whose fossils have been discovered in Angola, Africa, as well as in Louisiana—Zulu plans every suit to be his best one yet.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
3 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
“Primordial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primordial. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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