as in basic
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject
many students lacked even a basal familiarity with the topic
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Recent Examples of basal
With its sturdy stems and healthy basal foliage, 'Real Charmer' Leucanthemum makes a lovely container planting.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 July 2025
Remove lower leaves from the 6 inch cuttings and stick the basal portions about 2 inches deep in the soil.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2025
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition in which nerve cells, largely in the basal ganglia of the brain, deteriorate or die.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 22 July 2025
The shallow sensors were thus unable to access deep brain regions—such as the hypothalamus, thalamus, basal ganglia, and limbic system—that govern hunger, thirst, sleep, pain, memory, emotions, and other important perceptions and behaviors.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 May 2022
See All Example Sentences for basal
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 July 2025
Remove lower leaves from the 6 inch cuttings and stick the basal portions about 2 inches deep in the soil.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2025
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition in which nerve cells, largely in the basal ganglia of the brain, deteriorate or die.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 22 July 2025
The shallow sensors were thus unable to access deep brain regions—such as the hypothalamus, thalamus, basal ganglia, and limbic system—that govern hunger, thirst, sleep, pain, memory, emotions, and other important perceptions and behaviors.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 May 2022
See All Example Sentences for basal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for basal
Adjective
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Everything from the abilities and systems to learn, the sprawling pantheon of characters and plot threads, and the basic length of the campaign is nearly doubled in scope.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
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The monochrome noir look is a default of fashion house designers and global creatives—basic is far from boring in Milan.—
Abbey Hudetz,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In an attempt to help the elementary schooler conquer his fears, Gee picked him up and tossed him into the water below.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
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As children grow, Pre-Performing Arts and Fundamentals programs introduce preschool and elementary students to ballet foundations, tap rhythms, musical theatre vocabulary, and the joy of ensemble work.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Ants display rudimentary counting abilities, can understand the concept of zero and make tools.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
25 Sep. 2025
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The voice performers — including Thomas Lennon, Kyle Mooney, Melissa Villasenor, and Fortune Feimster — are superior to the rudimentary computer animation that probably works better on the small screen.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Students who take these introductory courses may go on to join the workforce or continue in their education to a bachelor’s or advanced degree.—
Gwendolyn Rak,
IEEE Spectrum,
25 Sep. 2025
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Sign up today with coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off the regular course price of $127 (plus tax).—
Sophie Caldwell,
CNBC,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The underlying numbers suggest KU isn’t helping itself on early downs.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
30 Sep. 2025
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His underlying numbers at five-on-five held steady, too.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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There’s something very fundamental about the questions that many of the films in the lineup are asking.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
25 Sep. 2025
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Replicating the placenta’s complex role The first and most fundamental barrier is the placenta.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Basal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/basal. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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