as in basic
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject
even if you're not planning on becoming a scientist, you should have an elemental knowledge of chemistry
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Recent Examples of elemental
Their mountain cuisine is built on elemental processes, like fire and fermentation, and makes use of wild herbs, freshwater fish, game meats, and cheeses crafted in the malghe, the seasonal dairy farms that speckle the hillsides.
—
Hannah Walhout, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2025
The sweet spot appears to be around 4 to 6 mg of elemental magnesium per kilogram of body weight.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 25 Nov. 2025
According to ecoHiny, its manufacturing process is elemental chlorine-free and avoids all synthetic additives, aligning with its broader goal of promoting an eco-conscious lifestyle free of toxic chemicals.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 24 Nov. 2025
Strong shoulders, leather, metals, and a dash of heat bring your elemental spark to life.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 22 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elemental
Hannah Walhout, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2025
The sweet spot appears to be around 4 to 6 mg of elemental magnesium per kilogram of body weight.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 25 Nov. 2025
According to ecoHiny, its manufacturing process is elemental chlorine-free and avoids all synthetic additives, aligning with its broader goal of promoting an eco-conscious lifestyle free of toxic chemicals.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 24 Nov. 2025
Strong shoulders, leather, metals, and a dash of heat bring your elemental spark to life.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 22 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elemental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elemental
Adjective
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Training ground facilities are relatively basic compared to those of other Spanish top-flight clubs.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Ideally, clinical trials will be paired with basic research to help scientists answer the many questions this discovery has raised.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The all-inclusive resort also has an extensive activities program and kids programming for babies and toddlers, elementary schoolers, and teens.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
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Basically, loop quantum gravity implies that space is not infinitely divisible — it’s made of elementary chunks, which are linked together into loops.—
Zack Savitsky,
Quanta Magazine,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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There, everyone comes and goes on longboats that have awnings, a row of rudimentary seats, and a small outboard motor.—
Stanley Stewart,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
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The medical system provides only the most rudimentary care, and hospitals have little to no medicine.—
Joseph J. Gonzalez,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Episodes are bound together by banal introductory voiceover, in which our narrator recites ominous clichés that, like everything in His & Hers, border on parody.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Jan. 2026
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So, with the support of the school for developing an introductory class on archaeology, Harris-Thacker developed one.—
Helen I. Bennett,
Hartford Courant,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This would be a fundamental acknowledgment that women’s basketball operates at the same elite level.—
Nafees Alam,
Boston Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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If the regime in Venezuela—without Maduro but still Chavista—rebuffs American demands, will Trump take further military action aimed at more fundamental change, which could plunge the country into factional violence?—
Comfort Ero,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elemental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elemental. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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