as in rudimentary
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject
you'll need a basic knowledge of computers to get any sort of office work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in essential
Related Words
Example Sentences
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 basic
Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 13 Oct. 2025
Topman will offer a focused edit of modern menswear essentials, from tailored outerwear to everyday basics.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2025
Tim Lister, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Sam Penton at the Manor Bar at the Rosewood Miramar took a high-proof bourbon and the basic structure of a whiskey sour and added some fruitiness and herbaceousness to make this a well-rounded cocktail.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for basic
Adjective
This 17-month planner is the perfect excuse to go back to basics with pen and paper.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 13 Oct. 2025
Topman will offer a focused edit of modern menswear essentials, from tailored outerwear to everyday basics.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
Strapped to its undercarriage was a very basic bomb.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Sam Penton at the Manor Bar at the Rosewood Miramar took a high-proof bourbon and the basic structure of a whiskey sour and added some fruitiness and herbaceousness to make this a well-rounded cocktail.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for basic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for basic
Adjective
-
The concept is similar to the rare cases of humans who are born with rudimentary tails, a trait that was seen in primate ancestors over 25 million years ago, according to Brian Hall, research professor emeritus in evolutionary cell biology at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada.—
Taylor Nicioli,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
-
A lot of what is unwieldy about Down Cemetery Road stems from the source novel, which predates the Slough House series and showcases a writer with an exceptional gift for dialogue and characterization but a more nascent sense of rudimentary storytelling.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That being said, some travel essentials stay packed and ready—the gear, gadgets, and go-tos that make every trip that much easier.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Oct. 2025
-
There are also two drawers below that can conceal kitchen essentials, like tablecloths and place mats.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
At Nashoba Public School, in a rural part of southeast Oklahoma where there’s little else but timber and twisting roads, the roughly 50 kids who make up the elementary and middle grades are taught in split-grade classrooms.—
Jennifer Smith Richards,
ProPublica,
22 Oct. 2025
-
After more or less abandoning philosophy at the end of the First World War, Ludwig trained to be an elementary-school teacher, spent time as a gardener’s assistant in a monastery, and then taught in small towns in rural Austria.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Of course, a stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge is a must, as is a day trip to Muir Woods National Monument to stand beneath towering, centuries-old redwoods.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Oct. 2025
-
After shifting power to the people—like a year-plus bus boycott can do, for example—and getting the government to lessen its corruption, cruelty, injustice or violence, defending those gains is a must.—
Michael Shank,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Sign up today with coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 20% off.—
Celia Fernandez,
CNBC,
29 Oct. 2025
-
My introductory archaeology students try their hand at experimental archaeology by attempting to replicate a prehistoric bone awl (piercing tool).—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Qualls will face regular work reporting requirements, more frequent eligibility checks, as well as the quarterly wage checks that Louisiana Medicaid already conducts.—
NPR,
NPR,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The chief appraiser then ensures each of the nominees are in good standing with the property tax code’s requirements.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Following Dracula, Laemmle produced Frankenstein, another Universal release and one of the most fundamental movies in modern Gothic horror.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Their work shows that no computer, no matter how advanced, could ever reproduce the fundamental workings of the universe.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Basic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/basic. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share