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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Recent Examples of elemental
That, Spoelstra said, is why a turnaround could be as elemental as remaining ambulatory.
—
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2025
Each room has a name and elemental theme: The kitchen is Fire, with explosive pinks and yellows.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025
Thus the movie’s financial and martial machinations take place within a more elemental family drama: in order to win his daughter’s allegiance and affection, Zsa-zsa must pursue a mock-Shakespearean plot of fratricidal revenge.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 29 May 2025
Beneath that dizzying madness, McQuarrie introduced a progressively more labyrinthine mythology, knitting the installments together in ways plausible and not, and expanding Hunt from impressive spy to a more elemental force.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for elemental
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2025
Each room has a name and elemental theme: The kitchen is Fire, with explosive pinks and yellows.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025
Thus the movie’s financial and martial machinations take place within a more elemental family drama: in order to win his daughter’s allegiance and affection, Zsa-zsa must pursue a mock-Shakespearean plot of fratricidal revenge.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 29 May 2025
Beneath that dizzying madness, McQuarrie introduced a progressively more labyrinthine mythology, knitting the installments together in ways plausible and not, and expanding Hunt from impressive spy to a more elemental force.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for elemental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elemental
Adjective
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Biomedical repositories and basic researchers can be doing more, collaborating more.—
David A. Brenner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 June 2025
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The highest basic monthly payment is $4,544.23, available to veterans with a 100 percent rating, a spouse, one child, and two dependent parents.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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What To Know The growing resistance to phones on school grounds has been burgeoning since Florida enacted statewide changes in elementary and middle schools in 2023.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
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Queen, an elementary schooler at the time, preferred to play at Goldilocks, another neighborhood court five blocks away.—
Sam Cohn,
Baltimore Sun,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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Unlike the predictable drawers that pull out, this style slides out to the side, so pulling out paper clips feels more like an event than a rudimentary task.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
30 June 2025
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Rather than simply responding to instructions, the systems demonstrated initiative, persistence, and a rudimentary capacity for self-preservation.—
Hamilton Mann,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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Quickly becoming a fan favorite for the Angels faithful, Moore capped his introductory homestand with another clutch at-bat — in a week that started with a bang thanks to his two home run spectacle Tuesday against the Red Sox.—
Benjamin Royer,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2025
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In the introductory remarks, patrons were urged to keep as quiet as possible in order to experience the possibilities of hearing overlapping ensembles.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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Yet many overlook one of the most fundamental levers available to their leadership and performance: their circadian rhythm.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
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At a time when our nation faces many urgent challenges, tackling food insecurity stands apart as both fundamental and unifying.—
Carmen Del Guercio,
Baltimore Sun,
22 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elemental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elemental. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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