BASAL Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

basal

adjective

ˈbā-səl

Definition of basal

as in basic

of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject many students lacked even a basal familiarity with the topic

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of basal When blooming slows in the fall, cut back the whole plant to the new basal growth to keep it healthy for spring. — Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 22 Sep. 2026 On the other hand, Silphium terebinthinaceum has basal foliage that stays close to the ground while its inflorescence is wildly airy. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 12 Aug. 2026 Your eyes constantly produce a thin layer of basal tears to keep the cornea lubricated, and the duct quietly shuttles that trickle into the nose, where it’s absorbed or blended into normal nasal mucus without a trace. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 If dopamine neurons in the basal ganglia degenerate as happens in Parkinson’s disease, movements become harder to initiate and slower once they are commenced. — Literary Hub, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for basal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for basal

Adjective

Those running for the board have diverse backgrounds and varying ideas, but also near-unanimous agreement that district leaders need to do more to meet the basic needs of students struggling to pursue their higher education goals.

— Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Sure, public schools that can't afford to provide teachers with basic supplies like crayons and where nurses have to keep track of every bandage and packet of acetaminophen are performing surgery that costs $100,000-plus.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of basic

Adjective

Given a candidate for universal operations, this program systematically explores all possibilities to express the 36 elementary functions, numbers and important constants.

— Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 3 Nov. 2026
Meaningfully reducing property tax bills for Illinois homeowners and businesses would require the state to take on a much larger share of the cost of elementary and secondary education, likely through the income tax or sales taxes.

— Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of elementary

Adjective

The district projects about $3,000 in cash and nearly $1,000 in expenses, including renting a post office box, maintaining its rudimentary website and buying supplies for outreach and education events, such as handouts and volunteer shirts.

— Beth Kassab, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
Scouring Europe’s strikers using the most rudimentary of metrics — goals scored — throws up a familiar set of utterly unattainable targets.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of rudimentary

Adjective

Nihon University German film professor Shibuya Tetsuya, who gave an introductory lecture on German cinema, noted that the film even features a vegetarian vampire.

— Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026
Northwestern women’s basketball coach Carla Berube speaks during an introductory news conference March 31, 2026, at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of introductory

Adjective

The Democrat is running for Precinct 2 commissioner to create a government that works for everyday people, prioritizing lowering the cost of living, delivering excellent county services and protecting fundamental rights.

— Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
The forcefulness of their singing conveys desperation, but preempts so much of the nuance that enlivens their songs—the fundamental regret in their voice grinding against the fundamental determination.

— Stephen M. Deusner, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of fundamental

Browse Nearby Words

barters (for)

basal

base

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“Basal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/basal. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of basal

adjective

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