1
as in main
coming before all others in importance
the primal theme of the essay is toleration of religious diversity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ancient
relating to or occurring near the beginning of a process, series, or time period
there was a period of primal idealism after the founding of the republic and before the rise of partisan politics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of primal
When combined Robinson’s primal screams and the writing team’s knack for crafting slightly askew sentences that turn into dialogue earworms, the fake company names a potent blend of comedy that feels like it was always destined to define comedy in the 2020s.
—
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2025
More than a decade later, the series continues to reimagine American histories and channel primal fears — from clowns and cults, to witches and ghosts — with each installment cloaked in social commentary and camp.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Watching a mother turtle haul herself ashore under a canopy of stars to lay her eggs is a truly primal and humbling sight.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2025
This is where Birmingham’s industrial heritage meets the primal spectacle of live fire cooking.
—Rai Mincey, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primal
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2025
More than a decade later, the series continues to reimagine American histories and channel primal fears — from clowns and cults, to witches and ghosts — with each installment cloaked in social commentary and camp.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Watching a mother turtle haul herself ashore under a canopy of stars to lay her eggs is a truly primal and humbling sight.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2025
This is where Birmingham’s industrial heritage meets the primal spectacle of live fire cooking.
—Rai Mincey, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primal
Adjective
-
As for Sundance’s main slate of world premiere films, the festival is still heads down screening some half a dozen movies a day ahead of lineup announcements later this fall.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The verdict of the Specialized Criminal Court in the city of Banska Bystrica closes a trial that began in July and whose main question was whether Cintula, who admitted shooting Fico, was guilty of terrorism or less serious crimes of murder or attack.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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During that time, particles cast off from that ancient body collide with our planet at speeds of up to 41 miles per second (66 kilometers per second), burning up in a magnificent display as they're overwhelmed by the friction of atmospheric entry.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Pausing to appreciate ancient petroglyphs or a primrose that blooms for just one day.—
Joan Meiners,
AZCentral.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Mules on the towpath along the canal could pull a heavy barge at a clip of 4 miles per hour – far faster than the job of dragging wagons over primitive roads.—
Christine Keiner,
The Conversation,
15 Oct. 2025
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This is the first direct chemical proof that some of the primitive planet’s material survived the giant impact that formed the Earth and Moon.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
And while Sturm offers a small group of men’s options (the Face Cream Men doubles as an after-shave soother), some of her male clientele seem content to buy the primary unisex line.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
18 Oct. 2025
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Essential menopause services belong in national primary health packages and in public and private insurance coverage.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Filled with unearthly landscapes, primeval forests, and twilight beaches, Anemone’s ornate visual design seems to underscore its characters’ emotional suffocation.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Aside from its extraordinary size, Moses marvels at the primeval nature of the Lucara diamond.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The findings will help planetary scientists piece together the primordial ingredients that forged the early Earth.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Gradually, the explosions settled down into a dim, homogeneous glow, a nebula of primordial data, a latent space for potential stars.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
That confident tight-wire act, with its time shifts and various mini-characterizations, was a useful precedence for her here as the predominant presence in this three-performer, intermissionless piece.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
14 Oct. 2025
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Aspen groves are not as predominant here and hikers will find a wider array of colors due to the range of deciduous tree varieties fed by additional moisture from springs and creeks.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Not pretty at all, but a real link to a past, and a great example of prehistoric tech.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The rare species of prehistoric predator was found in southern England.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primal. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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