as in basic
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject
students who do not have even an elementary knowledge of geography
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of elementary
And how touching her shy, tentative pride when Johanna’s elementary-school teacher tells her that her daughter has an unusual talent for drawing.
—
Elaine Blair, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
It’s being used evenly by both elementary and high school teachers, Rola Tarek Mohamed, the district’s coordinator of strategic initiatives, said.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Dark matter’s, dark energy’s, and gravitation’s underlying elementary structure remains unknown.
—Big Think, 23 Feb. 2026
Texas last elected a Democratic senator in 1988, and the state is so firmly in the grip of MAGA legislators that its elementary-school curriculum permits treating Bible stories as historical fact.
—Tad Friend, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elementary
Elaine Blair, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
It’s being used evenly by both elementary and high school teachers, Rola Tarek Mohamed, the district’s coordinator of strategic initiatives, said.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Dark matter’s, dark energy’s, and gravitation’s underlying elementary structure remains unknown.
—Big Think, 23 Feb. 2026
Texas last elected a Democratic senator in 1988, and the state is so firmly in the grip of MAGA legislators that its elementary-school curriculum permits treating Bible stories as historical fact.
—Tad Friend, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elementary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elementary
Adjective
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People were detained on the basis of their appearance or accent, and the violent encounters on the streets made many residents afraid to go out even to purchase groceries or other basic necessities.—
Kica Matos,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2026
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Schumer and his caucus are right to demand that ICE stop its terror tactics as basic conditions for any DHS funding agreement.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Our systems suppress not only Black excellence, but also our rudimentary human rights (do read up on how the British education system fails Black boys).—
Raven Smith,
Vogue,
25 Feb. 2026
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Fredlund said the average playground in the Central American country is rudimentary.—
Sarah Kyrcz,
Hartford Courant,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Register now and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 20% off.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
23 Feb. 2026
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The book, which is now required for introductory sociology courses at Florida State University, was edited down from 669 pages to 267.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Costa, the club’s homegrown captain who joined at 12 and has been the undisputed No 1 since 2021-22, has been fundamental to that.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
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Residents at Tuesday’s meeting argued that the technology itself — and the inherent potential for abuse — remains the fundamental problem.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elementary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elementary. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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