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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atavistic
Adjective
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Executing on it will be more complicated because the entire system is based on archaic policies and principles.—
Dan Gingiss,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025 -
The chain gang will still be on the field as a backup option, but the archaic measuring system will no longer be the primary way to determine a first down or not on close plays.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Easter 2025 happens to fall on a day with an unusual number of historical tragedies and ironies.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
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The destinations also had to offer scenic views, tasty, historical sights and plenty of activities, the publication said.—
Hannah Poukish,
Sacbee.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Once the haunt of luminaries like Freud and Trotsky, this grand café exudes old-world charm with its vaulted ceilings and marble columns.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
24 Apr. 2025
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Visitors can explore the church and its picturesque grounds, experiencing the village’s old-world charm along the scenic Hudson River.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Not least the outmoded idea that Republicans, when in power, shouldn’t use every available lever to implement their agenda.—
Varad Mehta,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
7 Mar. 2025
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Instead of using this opportunity to make Bond a more inclusive franchise, Bezos could very well lean into the franchise’s outmoded machismo, returning Bond to an aggressive womanizer and pillar of a brand of masculinity that aligns with the values of the far right.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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And while those other examples may be from a bygone era of joyful abandon, the current moment leaves a lot to be desired.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
25 Apr. 2025
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From the darkened facade to the seven-meter-tall ceilings to the cobblestones that cover Mercer Street, every detail sits at the periphery of both modernity and an unreachable bygone era, much like the label itself.—
Brett Braley,
Robb Report,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Well, a team of scientists unearthed ancient footprints that offer insight into how various prehistoric animals lived as far back as 50 million years.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
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Before boarding the barge in Inverness, travelers can visit Culloden Moor, the scene of the famous 1746 battle, a pivotal moment in Outlander and Clava Cairns, the burial site of a prehistoric clan chieftain, widely believed to have inspired the standing stones of Craigh na Dun in the series.—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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As a result, coaches have gone back to including at least one center in their lineups, but many teams have experienced a great deal of success with the double big lineups that were once thought to be antiquated.—
Mat Issa,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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There are a couple reasons why some states and death row inmates are turning to a method that might be seen as antiquated.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The historic anniversary commemorates the first act of the country's reunification on April 30, 1975 when Communist-run North Vietnam seized Saigon, the capital of the U.S.-backed South, renamed Ho Chi Minh City shortly after the war in honor of the North's founding leader.—
Minh Nguyen and Francesco Guarascio,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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The historic Abraham Accords, brokered by President Trump in 2020, opened the door to groundbreaking economic innovation and security cooperation between the U.S. and its Israeli and Arab Middle Eastern allies.—
Robert Greenway,
National Review,
30 Apr. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Atavistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atavistic. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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