primal

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adjective

Definition of PRIMAL

1

coming before all others in importance <the primal theme of the essay is toleration of religious diversity>

Synonyms arch, big, capital, cardinal, central, chief, dominant, first, grand, great, greatest, highest, key, leading, main, master, number one (also No. 1), numero uno, overbearing, overmastering, overriding, paramount, predominant, preeminent, premier, primal, primary, principal, prior, sovereign (also sovran), supreme

Related Words distinguished, eminent, illustrious, noble, notable, noteworthy, outstanding, prestigious, signal, star, stellar, superior; high-level, senior, top; important, influential, major, mighty, momentous, significant; incomparable, matchless, unequaled (or unequalled), unparalleled, unsurpassed; celebrated, famed, famous, renowned

Near Antonyms inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, minor, negligible, slight, trifling, trivial, unimportant; collateral, inferior, secondary, subordinate, subsidiary

Antonyms last, least

2

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 ancient, primal, primeval, primitive, primordial

Related Words budding, embryonic, germinal, infant; aged, age-old, antediluvian, antiquated, antique, dateless, hoary, old, prehistoric (also prehistorical); obsolete, outmoded, out-of-date, passé

Near Antonyms advanced, complex, developed, evolved, high, higher; full-blown, full-fledged, full-scale

Antonyms late