1
as in main
coming before all others in importance
the primal theme of the essay is toleration of religious diversity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ancient
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 primal
Del Toro’s biggest hit — especially overseas — is an unapologetic salute to the primal pleasures of watching big robots punch big monsters.
—
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
In the pic, a group of friends’ tropical vacation turns into a terrifying, primal tale of horror and survival.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
This is wild caving, where the underground world reveals its raw, primal state.
—Heide Brandes, AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025
There was an aspect to the story that really hit my heart hard in Bruno Lacombe’s radical philosophy, which posits that modern humans have lost their essential connection to the primal elements of existence.
—Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primal
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
In the pic, a group of friends’ tropical vacation turns into a terrifying, primal tale of horror and survival.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
This is wild caving, where the underground world reveals its raw, primal state.
—Heide Brandes, AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025
There was an aspect to the story that really hit my heart hard in Bruno Lacombe’s radical philosophy, which posits that modern humans have lost their essential connection to the primal elements of existence.
—Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primal
Adjective
-
As for Sundance’s main slate of world premiere films, the festival is still heads down screening some half a dozen movies a day ahead of lineup announcements later this fall.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The verdict of the Specialized Criminal Court in the city of Banska Bystrica closes a trial that began in July and whose main question was whether Cintula, who admitted shooting Fico, was guilty of terrorism or less serious crimes of murder or attack.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
During that time, particles cast off from that ancient body collide with our planet at speeds of up to 41 miles per second (66 kilometers per second), burning up in a magnificent display as they're overwhelmed by the friction of atmospheric entry.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Pausing to appreciate ancient petroglyphs or a primrose that blooms for just one day.—
Joan Meiners,
AZCentral.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The range of the monster drawings included primitive people, giant spiders, serpents, snails and fantastical fish.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Will there be future fairy tales about birds whose feathers glow in the dark nesting in the ruins of primitive power plants of past ages?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
And while Sturm offers a small group of men’s options (the Face Cream Men doubles as an after-shave soother), some of her male clientele seem content to buy the primary unisex line.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Essential menopause services belong in national primary health packages and in public and private insurance coverage.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Filled with unearthly landscapes, primeval forests, and twilight beaches, Anemone’s ornate visual design seems to underscore its characters’ emotional suffocation.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Aside from its extraordinary size, Moses marvels at the primeval nature of the Lucara diamond.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The findings will help planetary scientists piece together the primordial ingredients that forged the early Earth.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Gradually, the explosions settled down into a dim, homogeneous glow, a nebula of primordial data, a latent space for potential stars.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
That confident tight-wire act, with its time shifts and various mini-characterizations, was a useful precedence for her here as the predominant presence in this three-performer, intermissionless piece.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Aspen groves are not as predominant here and hikers will find a wider array of colors due to the range of deciduous tree varieties fed by additional moisture from springs and creeks.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Long an obstacle to humans seeking to continue down the river, the Falls of the Ohio offer a peek into prehistoric life.—
Leo Bertucci,
Louisville Courier Journal,
25 Oct. 2025
-
In the badlands of eastern Wyoming, the Lance Formation is a trove of prehistoric fossils.—
Amanda Schupak,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primal. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share