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
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 primal
Del Toro’s biggest hit — especially overseas — is an unapologetic salute to the primal pleasures of watching big robots punch big monsters.
—
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
In the pic, a group of friends’ tropical vacation turns into a terrifying, primal tale of horror and survival.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
This is wild caving, where the underground world reveals its raw, primal state.
—Heide Brandes, AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025
There was an aspect to the story that really hit my heart hard in Bruno Lacombe’s radical philosophy, which posits that modern humans have lost their essential connection to the primal elements of existence.
—Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primal
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
In the pic, a group of friends’ tropical vacation turns into a terrifying, primal tale of horror and survival.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
This is wild caving, where the underground world reveals its raw, primal state.
—Heide Brandes, AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025
There was an aspect to the story that really hit my heart hard in Bruno Lacombe’s radical philosophy, which posits that modern humans have lost their essential connection to the primal elements of existence.
—Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primal
Adjective
-
His officials at the time, including Secretary of Defense James Mattis, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Deputy National Security Adviser Matt Pottinger, made Beijing their main priority.—
Mira Rapp-Hooper,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Reinhart, Apa, Petsch, and Mendes were four of only six Riverdale main cast members to stay on for the full series run.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Then, in the thirteenth century, refinements to an ancient technology, the compass, led to its widespread adoption by sailors.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
-
At the time that the cut was identified, researchers proposed that the mark proved that First Peoples butchered ancient megafauna.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The range of the monster drawings included primitive people, giant spiders, serpents, snails and fantastical fish.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Will there be future fairy tales about birds whose feathers glow in the dark nesting in the ruins of primitive power plants of past ages?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Two guest bedrooms can be found downstairs, while four more upstairs bedrooms include a secluded primary retreat that comes with a fireplace, a dressing room, and dual baths.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
25 Oct. 2025
-
This corner room offered the perfect view to keep watch over Main Street and the primary north-south international highway.—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Filled with unearthly landscapes, primeval forests, and twilight beaches, Anemone’s ornate visual design seems to underscore its characters’ emotional suffocation.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Aside from its extraordinary size, Moses marvels at the primeval nature of the Lucara diamond.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The findings will help planetary scientists piece together the primordial ingredients that forged the early Earth.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Gradually, the explosions settled down into a dim, homogeneous glow, a nebula of primordial data, a latent space for potential stars.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
That confident tight-wire act, with its time shifts and various mini-characterizations, was a useful precedence for her here as the predominant presence in this three-performer, intermissionless piece.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Aspen groves are not as predominant here and hikers will find a wider array of colors due to the range of deciduous tree varieties fed by additional moisture from springs and creeks.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Long an obstacle to humans seeking to continue down the river, the Falls of the Ohio offer a peek into prehistoric life.—
Leo Bertucci,
Louisville Courier Journal,
25 Oct. 2025
-
In the badlands of eastern Wyoming, the Lance Formation is a trove of prehistoric fossils.—
Amanda Schupak,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primal. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share