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
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Recent Examples of primal
On match point, Yastremska’s deep forehand forced Gauff into an unforced error, to which the 25-year-old let out a victorious primal scream.
—
David Close, CNN Money, 1 July 2025
Bird departed with a primal scream, a strut in his step and his arms pumping.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 28 June 2025
Nausicaä herself is practically the primal Ghibli protagonist, a young woman whose kindness, curiosity, and joie de vivre bring light to her valley — one of the last refuges of humanity in a postapocalyptic future.
—Devan Coggan, EW.com, 1 Aug. 2025
This primal continuity is ultimately found in death, Bataille claims, a driving force of religion.
—Terry Nguyen
july 23, Literary Hub, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for primal
David Close, CNN Money, 1 July 2025
Bird departed with a primal scream, a strut in his step and his arms pumping.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 28 June 2025
Nausicaä herself is practically the primal Ghibli protagonist, a young woman whose kindness, curiosity, and joie de vivre bring light to her valley — one of the last refuges of humanity in a postapocalyptic future.
—Devan Coggan, EW.com, 1 Aug. 2025
This primal continuity is ultimately found in death, Bataille claims, a driving force of religion.
—Terry Nguyen
july 23, Literary Hub, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for primal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primal
Adjective
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The report outlined three main policy goals: improving student literacy, strengthening the teacher workforce, and empowering parents.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Aug. 2025
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Blood of My Blood tells the origin stories of the Outlander main characters' families, in this epic romantic drama.—
H. Alan Scott,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Many historians believe that modern chess originated from chaturanga, an ancient Indian board game that spread to the world via traders, pilgrims and conquerors.—
Omkar Khandekar,
NPR,
5 Aug. 2025
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In Howard Schwartz’s version of Rabbinic folktales, the images and storylines of Jewish folklore become colorful, polymorphic, and wondrous while never losing an aura of ancient scariness.—
Jon Raymond
August 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Houde said these mammoth animals are a primitive group of proboscideans ('elephantoids') from which modern elephants evolved.—
Joseph J. Kolb,
Fox News,
18 July 2017
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Many are primitive and remote, and don’t have restrooms or water.—
OregonLive.com,
OregonLive.com,
12 July 2017
Adjective
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At Alpha Prime, Optum will be the primary sponsor for his No. 45 Chevrolet and the Josh Williams Hospital Tour (JWHT).—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
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Bates believes judges, after hearing from attorneys on both sides, should be responsible for these decisions, rather than DJS acting as the primary gatekeeper.—
Keith Daniels,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Suddenly, 43 seconds later, the sky cracked open and light came screaming out in a primeval flash of energy.—
David Perlmutt,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Aug. 2025
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Our own moon shows evidence of primeval tidal heating too.—
Robin Andrews,
Wired News,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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Using these primordial rocks, astronomers can estimate their age and determine when our own solar system started to form.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
16 July 2025
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But that's not the end of the primordial black hole story.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The other predominant design component is that her outdoor space is divided into multiple functional private spaces around the house.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Aug. 2025
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The predominant effect that this law will have is to prevent law-abiding citizens from purchasing their preferred firearm.—
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The languages spoken by nearly half of the world’s population—including some four hundred million native speakers of English—are thought to have descended from this prehistoric language.—
Martha Barnette
August 6,
Literary Hub,
6 Aug. 2025
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Ten Little Dinos This four-minute video takes kids deep into the prehistoric jungle where ten colorful eggs are cozy in their nest.—
Marilyn La Jeunesse,
Parents,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primal. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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