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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of elemental
But there’s something more than trolling at work, something elemental in the response to Scranton.
—
Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
Trade those greatest hits for a few hours’ drive above Dublin and the reward is a wilder, more elemental Ireland — Atlantic headlands carved by weather rather than postcards, beaches that appear out of nowhere, and cliffs that don’t require elbowing for a view.
—David Dickstein, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
Thompson believes the spurning of that film connected with something elemental in Lean.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 12 May 2026
The forty-niners are elemental to our identity as a nation of brave, rugged individualists.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for elemental
Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
Trade those greatest hits for a few hours’ drive above Dublin and the reward is a wilder, more elemental Ireland — Atlantic headlands carved by weather rather than postcards, beaches that appear out of nowhere, and cliffs that don’t require elbowing for a view.
—David Dickstein, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
Thompson believes the spurning of that film connected with something elemental in Lean.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 12 May 2026
The forty-niners are elemental to our identity as a nation of brave, rugged individualists.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for elemental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elemental
Adjective
-
The war displaced most of the Palestinian population of more than 2 million, left large parts of the territory in rubble and created widespread shortages of food, medicine and other basic supplies asGaza’s border crossings — all but one controlled by Israel — were shut.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
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The Advanced Driver Assistance System is basic lane centering (see video above for more).—
Brooke Crothers,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
Speaking of immersive, MacKay and Turner only acquired an elementary grasp of the mechanics of fishing, but that’s by design.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
18 June 2026
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The lawsuit cited the facility's proximity to elementary and middle schools and residential neighborhoods.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Decision makers that prepare themselves with some rudimentary understanding of the types and models of AI, and ask the right questions of the solutions presented to them, are often better positioned to make a difference for their institution.—
Troy Holaday,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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But the filmic quality of the album lies less in any conventionally cinematic progression and more in Rossetto’s ability to imbue even the most rudimentary sounds with vivid detail and perspective.—
Levi Dayan,
Pitchfork,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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For someone testing the category, the cheapest move is usually a promotional bundle or a single introductory drip.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
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Less than $60 will get you a perfectly good introductory toaster oven, while spending up to $100 will add many of the bonus features that could be important to you.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, schools faced mounting pressure to raise test scores, creating a fundamental tension between learning time and and play time.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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For a variety of reasons that weren’t immediately entirely clear, there was a comprehensive and fundamental breakdown in access to the stadium that left many exasperated or furious.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elemental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elemental. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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