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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atavistic
Adjective
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Fresh meat was far from the only thing on the menu, according to a growing body of research that has revealed our archaic cousins ate a varied diet that included pulses and shellfish.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025 -
Despite much innovation, financial services firms actually have some of the most archaic infrastructure and the highest levels of volatility.—
David Parker,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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This city is surrounded by an array of activities like flea markets, gardens, beautiful mountainous landscapes, old silver mines and remarkable Mexican historical monuments.—
Paula Soria,
AZCentral.com,
17 Aug. 2025
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The market-at-large is expensive by historical metrics.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Long-standing staples have secured the Scottish capital’s place on the hospitality map, setting a tone that’s both old-world and wonderfully warm.—
Katharine Sohn,
Architectural Digest,
15 Aug. 2025
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Almost none of the Jewish characters in this production speak in old-world accents.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Municipalities need to stop making empty promises that rely on outmoded thinking.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
13 July 2025
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Would today’s investment be outmoded 12 months from now?—
Joe McKendrick,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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The bygone state revenues and rising costs, due in large part to inflation and economic instability, have contributed to HHC's operating deficit of nearly $100 million for next year, interim CFO James Simpson said during a July 29 board meeting.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
12 Aug. 2025
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Drifting between moving-image formats and collaging local textures and bygone voices, Oscar Ruiz Navia’s film reflects on loss and mourning as experiences of temporal dislocation.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 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
Adjective
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In northern Michigan, the T phenomenon brought a flood of visitors onto an antiquated road system.—
The Detroit News,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Aug. 2025
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But many other young women are winking at this type of antiquated femininity while engaging with it.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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In a ruling released Aug. 15, Judge Dominic W. Lanza acknowledged that the Resolution Copper mine will destroy one of the Apache people's most sacred sites, could potentially inflict devastating environmental effects and use tremendous quantities of water as Arizona endures a historic drought.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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The flood alerts come as the Milwaukee area continues to regroup a week after experiencing historic flooding.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Atavistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atavistic. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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