primitive

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adjective

Definition of PRIMITIVE

1

belonging to or characteristic of an early level of skill or development <primitive wooden tools were used before the Iron Age>

Synonyms crude, low, rude, rudimentary

Related Words basic, simple, uncomplicated; homely, homespun, unsophisticated; early, embryonic, primeval, primordial; backward, underdeveloped, undeveloped; aged, ancient, antediluvian, antiquated, antique, dated, fusty, hoary, musty, obsolete, old, oldfangled, old-fashioned, old-time, out-of-date, outworn, passé, past, quaint, unmodernized

Near Antonyms complex, complicated, intricate, involved, sophisticated; full-blown, grown, mature, matured, perfected, ripe, ripened; civilized, cultivated, enlightened, refined; contemporary, current, latest, mod, modern, modernistic, new, newfangled, new-fashioned, novel, now, present-day, space-age, state-of-the-art, supermodern, ultramodern, up-to-date

Antonyms advanced, developed, evolved, high, higher, late

2

relating to or occurring near the beginning of a process, series, or time period <a primitive period in church history when members still lived in communes>

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age-old, antediluvian, antiquated, antique, dateless, hoary, old, prehistoric (also prehistorical); obsolete, outmoded, out-of-date, passé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

3

lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment <her taste in art was still primitive, but she knew schlock when she saw it>

Synonyms aw-shucks, dewy, dewy-eyed, green, ingenuous, innocent, naïf (or naif), primitive, simple, simpleminded, uncritical, unknowing, unsophisticated, unsuspecting, unsuspicious, unwary, unworldly, wide-eyed

Related Words callow, childish, immature, inexperienced, raw; childlike, idealistic, impractical, unrealistic; believing, credulous, gullible (also gullable), susceptible, trustful, trusting, unguarded; beguiled, duped, gulled, tricked; careless, heedless, thoughtless

Near Antonyms critical, cynical, doubting, incredulous, skeptical, suspecting, suspicious, unconvinced; careful, cautious, guarded, leery (also leary), wary, watchful; down-to-earth, hardheaded, pragmatic (also pragmatical), realistic, sober; street-smart, streetwise

Antonyms cosmopolitan, experienced, knowing, sophisticated, worldly, worldly-wise