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primitive 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpri-mə-tiv How to pronounce primitive (audio)
Definition of primitivenext
1
as in rudimentary
belonging to or characteristic of an early level of skill or development primitive wooden tools were used before the Iron Age

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ancient
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment her taste in art was still primitive, but she knew schlock when she saw it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

primitive

2 of 2

noun

as in barbarian

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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 primitive
Adjective
When the Followers began, healthcare on the Western frontier was primitive, unsanitary and riddled with con artists peddling fake cures. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026 The Düsseldorf group’s version of LUCA would have possessed many of the ingredients needed by living systems, including a primitive form of genetic encoding, as well as metabolic chemical reactions required to harness energy. — Philip Ball, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
It can be used to achieve a lot of other cryptographic primitives. — Quanta Magazine, 1 Aug. 2024 Meanwhile, humans have regressed into being primitives that the apes hunt for sport, or feed out of pity from beside their campfire. — EW.com, 2 Nov. 2023 See All Example Sentences for primitive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primitive
  1. rudimentary
  2. ancient
  3. naive
  4. barbarian
  5. primal
  6. simple
  7. savage
  8. prehistoric
Adjective
  • People in New York City looked up in shock and dismay; people everywhere else watched their favorite anchors on old-fashioned television sets and looked for updates on very rudimentary versions of news websites.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Within these confines the main characters register as aliens; Wendy and Jack aren’t just flustered but people who seem to have never been inculcated with a rudimentary sense of social propriety.
    — Vadim Rizov, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of rudimentary
Adjective
  • Although there are plenty of books in three languages (Arabic, French, and English), there are also museums, a planetarium, and a lab dedicated to restoring and preserving ancient manuscripts.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Unlike the other four, it was not protected as an ancient monument because it was believed to have been lost.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of ancient
Adjective
  • When the most senior people in the room ask the naive question first, everyone else gets permission to keep growing in public.
    — Brittany Murrey, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Turns out the two had a rather close bond, as Elia was very politically savvy compared to the naïve Rhaegar.
    — Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of naive
Noun
  • So that, zombie- or indeed mummy-like, the barbarians can mimic imperial subjects enough to look human.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
  • If OpenAI’s agents are Romans, humanity represents the barbarians.
    — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of barbarian
Adjective
  • The songs are a type of emotional exorcism, an expression of primal emotion that could not be shared in another way, with the rhythm of the film always framing them as a type of catharsis.
    — Zachary Lee, IndieWire, 16 Sep. 2026
  • And the vindaloo sauce, ruddy and rustic, slowly unfolds with intellectual complexity before delivering a primal punch.
    — Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of primal
Adjective
  • Underpinning this assessment is the fact that disagreements between the two nations have gradually expanded beyond simple tariff disputes.
    — , CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
  • In simple terms, cherry juice targets the muscle inflammation caused by exercise, known as oxidative stress.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of simple
Noun
  • One of the best Saturday morning traditions during college football season is not only watching ESPN's best program on the network, College Gameday, but seeing the hilarious, savage, and unique signs fans put together each week.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Manson and his followers evaded police for months but were eventually arrested and charged in the savage slayings in December 1969.
    — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of savage
Adjective
  • The National Museum alone lost almost two-thirds of its inventory, comprising nearly 100,000 artifacts that covered Sudan’s prehistoric age through its Nubian era, the Kingdom of Kush, the Christian era and its Islamic period.
    — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Seeing those ancient sculptures would have a lasting impact on Cabrera, whose work contained forms that recall pagan ritual and prehistoric objects.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of prehistoric

Browse Nearby Words

primings
primitive
primitively
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Cite this Entry

“Primitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primitive. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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