as in basic
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject
even if you're not planning on becoming a scientist, you should have an elemental knowledge of chemistry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of elemental
Blasts of wind, rolling surf, fissuring earth: these elemental threats appear and disappear like signs from the heavens, harbingers of the end times.
—
Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 19 May 2025
The setting is intimate and elemental: handmade ceramics, just 13 tables, and a quiet chef’s table in a separate room that leads into the kitchen, for those who want to witness the process up close.
—Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
For example, extra-strength Rolaids and Milk of Magnesia each contain 55 milligrams of elemental magnesium per dose.
—Ashley Wong, Health, 27 May 2025
Some were more elemental: expressions of rage at the Administration’s casual, spectacular cruelty.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for elemental
Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 19 May 2025
The setting is intimate and elemental: handmade ceramics, just 13 tables, and a quiet chef’s table in a separate room that leads into the kitchen, for those who want to witness the process up close.
—Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
For example, extra-strength Rolaids and Milk of Magnesia each contain 55 milligrams of elemental magnesium per dose.
—Ashley Wong, Health, 27 May 2025
Some were more elemental: expressions of rage at the Administration’s casual, spectacular cruelty.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for elemental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elemental
Adjective
-
In many of these places, girls are 25 percent less likely than boys to access the knowledge needed for basic digital tasks.—
Cynthia Tully,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
While officials cash in, residents are still waiting for basic lighting and infrastructure.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
In Uvalde, 19 elementary students and two teachers were killed.—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
8 July 2025
-
There are elementary and middle school programs, too.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
What began as rudimentary chatbots programmed to respond to queries based on keywords eventually evolved into GenAI.—
Vivek Ahuja,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
-
From behind the fence, at the white hut, a rudimentary but powerful loudhailer and speaker system is set up, from which a commentator fills every second of dead air with excitable exhortations to Allah combined with knowledgeable play-by-play analysis in machine-gun fast Arabic.—
Camilla Wright,
semafor.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Head coach of Mike Brown of the New York Knicks speaks to media during his introductory press conference at Knicks Training Facility on July 08, 2025 in Tarrytown, New York.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
-
The apparent deletion was noticed on social media the same day that comments from Krauskopf's introductory press conference resurfaced.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
All good people, regardless of fundamental beliefs, need to vigorously, with courage, resist the sickness that is Trump and MAGA.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 July 2025
-
From a fundamental perspective, Elevance Health currently possesses a market capitalization of $77 billion.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elemental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elemental. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share