ATAVISTIC Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

atavistic

adjective

Definition of atavistic

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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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of atavistic To dismiss animism as ignorant, superstitious, or atavistic is to partake in modern parochialism, and this serves the interests of those who, like the tree’s killers, delight in destroying life. — Colin Cepuran, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for atavistic

Adjective

The work doesn’t really get into the significance of these archaic sequences.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
The other branches—the archaic hominins, as scientists call them—include the Neanderthals, who lived across Europe and western Asia, and the Denisovans, who are known mostly from a handful of fossils found in Siberia and Tibet.

— Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 30 July 2026

Definition of archaic

Adjective

The beauty lies in part to its gothic Ford Complex — funded by Henry Ford and his wife — and the many historical buildings that wound up earning it a place on the National Register of Historic Places.

— Carson Bonner, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026
After all, household debt balances are elevated, borrowing costs are still expensive by historical standards and inflation is driving up the costs of just about everything, adding pressure to borrowers' budgets.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of historical

Adjective

Bulgari bathroom amenities, and hi-tech touches do not detract from the old-world charm of the warm wood paneling, soft silk wallpaper, and original oil paintings found throughout the hotel.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
As long as the new event, and the new cars, can retain the old-world charm that made Singer a fixture at Goodwood for so many years in the first place.

— Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of old-world

Adjective

If outmoded office buildings end up becoming once again viable as office buildings, Berman’s thesis could end up becoming a casualty of its own transformational success.

— Andrew Rice, Curbed, 23 July 2026
But this approach is outmoded given the speed at which companies are adopting AI tools for business tasks.

— Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 13 July 2026

Definition of outmoded

Adjective

Founders Anton Juric and Niklas Lindgren developed the solution after recognizing significant inefficiencies and antiquated software in manual MEP design.

— David Prosser, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Skip heavy drapes, oversized hutches, and large floral centerpieces, which read as antiquated.

— Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 24 July 2026

Definition of antiquated

Adjective

The Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs will follow in early July and then the series will shift to historic Saratoga for the Jim Dandy Stakes (late July, early August) and Travers Stakes (late August).

— Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
These pictorial cards also capture scenes along the Fox River, as well as schools, churches, hotels, historic buildings, bridges, the railroad, events and celebrations.

— Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026