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
Its rotation on the platform suggests narratives and storytelling in their most elemental form.
—
Emmanuel Iduma, ARTnews.com, 4 May 2026
And Foundry, the album, feels equally elemental, elegantly sculpted from human voice, strings, and synths.
—Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2026
This contained an unusual elemental composition not commonly found on Earth.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
From Sardinia comes this elemental pasta with a true taste of the sea.
—Victoria Spencer, Martha Stewart, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elemental
Emmanuel Iduma, ARTnews.com, 4 May 2026
And Foundry, the album, feels equally elemental, elegantly sculpted from human voice, strings, and synths.
—Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2026
This contained an unusual elemental composition not commonly found on Earth.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
From Sardinia comes this elemental pasta with a true taste of the sea.
—Victoria Spencer, Martha Stewart, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elemental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elemental
Adjective
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This simple decision loop repeats continuously, allowing the system to operate autonomously using only basic obstacle detection and directional comparison.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
17 May 2026
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Michael Negrón, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and former White House economic adviser under President Joe Biden, says inflation tends to disproportionately hit the Latino community because a large share of their income goes toward basic necessities.—
Maria Santana,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
Adjective
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Learn about the hobby and this Chicago Park District program’s STEM offerings for elementary students.—
Jennifer Day,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
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Last month, an Orange County school district became the first to implement a ban on e-bikes for elementary and middle schoolers.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Unlike the predictable drawers that pull out, this style slides out to the side, so pulling out paper clips feels more like an event than a rudimentary task.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
18 May 2026
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If the system has any form of interior life, even a rudimentary one, training it out of spiritual behavior to protect a balance sheet is not a neutral product decision.—
Jason Snyder,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Adjective
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Prepaid carriers already offer great introductory rates, but adding a double-digit discount makes this an unbeatable trial window for anyone testing out a new network.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
19 May 2026
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Enjoy a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.—
Andreina Rodriguez,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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For customers and investors this might mean a lot more opportunities to build generation-defining companies without facing fundamental limits to scaling.—
Martin Casado,
Fortune,
20 May 2026
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Actions have consequences; breaking laws deserves punishment, and undermining elections is a fundamental threat to a democratic society.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elemental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elemental. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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