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
The elemental amount is usually the smaller number on the bottle.
—
Jillian Kubala, Health, 4 Jan. 2026
Expect Riley’s elemental attention to detail and dialogue and signature barbs.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
Not only will the test results tell you the amount of lime or elemental sulfur needed to adjust the pH of your soil, but the test will also determine any nutrient deficiencies in your lawn.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2025
The ecstasy of love and the fear of passing poison through one’s blood are, for Dijon, building blocks as elemental as drums.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elemental
Jillian Kubala, Health, 4 Jan. 2026
Expect Riley’s elemental attention to detail and dialogue and signature barbs.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
Not only will the test results tell you the amount of lime or elemental sulfur needed to adjust the pH of your soil, but the test will also determine any nutrient deficiencies in your lawn.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2025
The ecstasy of love and the fear of passing poison through one’s blood are, for Dijon, building blocks as elemental as drums.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elemental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elemental
Adjective
-
At that point, the operator would recite the most intimate details of a patient’s health history to hook her before launching into a few basic screening questions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Ross argued that allowing local police to provide basic crowd control — rather than restricting coordination — could have reduced risks during recent confrontations.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Stenvik cancelled the annual all-district band concert, scheduled for last week, in which players from the elementary, middle, and high schools perform together on one stage.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Her stories are well-told, relevant and often searing, detailing an elementary-school teacher’s slight, a hometown swimming-pool reckoning and chauvinism from an Ivy League club.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Early warning is rudimentary and community liaison mechanisms are flimsy.—
Obi Anyadike,
semafor.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The federal student loan program lacks even rudimentary safeguards common in the private sector.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
During an introductory press conference with the Steelers that got emotional at times, McCarthy, a Pittsburgh native, beamed with pride about his third head coaching opportunity.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Kevin Stefanski walked into his introductory news conference Tuesday smiling, joking about the weather, and sounding exactly like a coach ready to get to work.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Its constraint, however, is fundamental.—
Sahar Hashmi,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Tomei warned, however, that while some extent of fundamental demand for precious metals has been a driver of the recent gains, that alone fails to justify the magnitude of the rise.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elemental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elemental. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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