prehistoric

adjective

ˌprē-(h)i-ˈstȯr-ik How to pronounce prehistoric (audio)
variants also prehistorical
Definition of prehistoricnext
as in archaic
having passed its time of use or usefulness prehistoric notions about mental illness that have no place in today's world

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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 prehistoric Robert Eagle, a co-author of the study and a geobiologist at University of California, Los Angeles, pioneered this approach to measuring prehistoric body temperatures. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 16 Sep. 2026 These otherworldly salt flats, once a prehistoric lake the size of Switzerland, are today a shimmering white desert perfect for exploration on an ATV. — Emily Baldwin, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2026 Some of the most important museums, including the Archaeological Museum and its collection of Greek art from the prehistoric period to late antiquity, call Thessaloniki home. — Jennifer Tzeses, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026 This long, curved bronze horn was discovered in prehistoric Scandinavian excavations, dating to the Late Bronze Age, roughly 1000–500 bce. — Kara Rogers, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prehistoric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prehistoric
  1. archaic
  2. obsolete
  3. medieval
  4. antiquated
  5. neolithic
Adjective
  • Not that Georgian masculinity, with its macho, bellicose posturing and archaic codes of honor, is portrayed as anything other than fumbling and futile.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Li said that Yunnan would have offered our archaic human relatives a hospitable climate, rich in plant and animal life.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of archaic
Adjective
  • In Dallas, a data center built in the 1980s became obsolete as a data center and was converted into a warehouse.
    — Rafi Golberstein, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Replacing obsolete systems and components LANSCE’s aging infrastructure has become increasingly difficult to maintain.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of obsolete
Adjective
  • In a new study published this week in the journal Antiquity, researchers describe how a group of historians helped discover the early medieval monastery in a stroke of good luck.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The film turns the princess tale into a passage across medieval fantasy, retro-futurist sci-fi and the present day.
    — Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of medieval
Adjective
  • Adopting techniques from classic-Hollywood style, cinematographers dusted off antiquated equipment, using tungsten bulbs instead of LEDs to create the low-key contrasts typical of the genre.
    — Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Furthermore, its green monochrome display will likely feel antiquated once full-color waveguide tech matures.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of antiquated
Adjective
  • From the Neolithic rock art of what is now Libya to ancient Egypt, China and India, to medieval and Renaissance Europe, creatures at borderlands of what was taken to be civilization were represented as cynocephalic, that is, humans with dog heads.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
  • Multiple generations of Neolithic designers relied on communal teamwork and clever construction techniques to precisely place each of the site’s gigantic megaliths about 5,000 years ago.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 June 2026
Definition of neolithic

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prehistoric
prejudge
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Cite this Entry

“Prehistoric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prehistoric. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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