as in archaic
formal
very primitive
—used to describe feelings or qualities that human beings have had from the earliest times
atavistic instincts reverting to atavistic behavior
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Recent Examples of atavistic
Safdie perceptively locates the protagonist’s troubling inner contradictions—the atavistic fury that drives him to compete and the intense self-control that competition demands—but dramatizes such outer crises as opioid addiction and conflict with his girlfriend (Emily Blunt) only schematically.
—
Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Rather than conjuring a mood of bracing inexorability, this linear focus only suffocates what might be an interesting debate, as a man of the modern world weighs his values against those of a woman raised in atavistic isolation.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
The experts think fiat money is mature and serious and the gold standard cranky, weird, and atavistic.
—Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Rather than conjuring a mood of bracing inexorability, this linear focus only suffocates what might be an interesting debate, as a man of the modern world weighs his values against those of a woman raised in atavistic isolation.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
The experts think fiat money is mature and serious and the gold standard cranky, weird, and atavistic.
—Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atavistic
Adjective
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Yet university leaders have spoken optimistically about the future, bolstered by its new membership in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), its coaching staff and a $25 million renovation of its archaic football stadium.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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But while the word’s general usage sounds more than a little archaic in the 21st century, its application to a particular kind of deceit prohibited in war remains active law.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Young readers who can’t get enough historical fiction will want to check out this new adventure from beloved children’s novelist Avi.—
Caroline Carlson,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
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The building was under the control of the Capone and Torrio families, as well as the Chicago Outfit, during the Prohibition era, according to historical accounts.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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For afternoon tea and old-world fine dining with a jazz soundtrack, The Estate House veranda pulls in a warm breeze, and dishes such as lobster and ravioli, and mushroom and truffle velouté with brioche strips wrapped in Italian lardo are served on antique crockery.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
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This high-end piece perfectly merges old-world detail with the countertop of a modern kitchen.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Adi looked down at his hiking boots with their split-grain leather and polyurethane midsoles and skidded his feet back toward the driftwood, like one of his former fourth graders called out on a pair of outmoded sneakers.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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An outmoded concept, evil was baggage from a pre-modern age, the least useful way to interpret bad behavior.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Heyl has now been able to bring some of those bygone Veyron revisions to light.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
22 Jan. 2026
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Much like the story itself — which followed Daniel Day-Lewis’ 1950s British designer falling head over heels in love with his reluctant muse and eventual equal — the music feels like it’s being beamed in from a bygone era.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Officials recently flagged signs at Big Bend National Park in Texas that referenced geology, fossils, and prehistoric history, some of which were written in both Spanish and English.—
Outside,
Outside,
28 Jan. 2026
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Each time the movie cuts back to its prehistoric section is a welcome relief.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Our antiquated tax code should be reformed to reduce reliance on the personal income tax and raise revenue in a more predictable way.—
Lanhee J. Chen,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
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In a world where physical video games are swiftly becoming antiquated, the move signals the company’s desire to modernize.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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And while its facade may blend in with the rest of the city's historic stone architecture, the interiors tell a different story.—
Gisela Williams,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Jan. 2026
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If Everett applied this level of discipline to a stadium proposal, Boston should apply at least the same standard to White Stadium — a venue proposed in the middle of a historic park, with no on-site parking and access through residential streets.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Atavistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atavistic. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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