primal

adjective

ˈprī-məl How to pronounce primal (audio)
Definition of primalnext
1
as in main
coming before all others in importance the primal theme of the essay is toleration of religious diversity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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 primal Or did a Greek soldier really kill a disguised Athena, breaking Zeus’s law in its most primal form? — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 July 2026 Warm shades like yellow, orange, and gold channel the sign’s solar energy, while cheetah print hints at this sign’s primal energy. — Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 17 July 2026 Many of the messages are peddling a sense of pride and belonging — primal impulses at the heart of the MAGA movement. — Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 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, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for primal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primal
  1. main
  2. ancient
  3. primary
  4. primitive
  5. predominant
  6. primeval
  7. dominant
  8. primordial
Adjective
  • For the first time in almost a month, a large tanker last week began loading crude at the western terminal of Iran’s main export hub Kharg Island, Windward said.
    — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The team behind the project, presented during the second edition of Open Doors with a focus on films from Africa, was one of the two main winners of the Open Doors Grant.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • This ancient city, sited halfway between London and Edinburgh, has a wealth of significant historic attractions dating back to its Ancient Roman origins.
    — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
  • During its two-and-a-half-hour descent through Titan’s thick orange atmosphere, Huygens captured the first-ever views of the surface, revealing river channels, ancient shorelines and a landscape shaped by liquid methane rather than water.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of ancient
Adjective
  • That becomes particularly important when organizations rely on pop-up conversations and informal check-ins as their primary means of staying aligned.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The vast majority of girls are enrolled in primary education, at a rate higher than for boys.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • Some researchers have argued that LUCA was a complex cell with a primitive immune system to protect against viruses.
    — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Porous feet deliver The researchers designed and 3D-printed three hemispherical TPMS variants—primitive, gyroid and diamond—and evaluated their mechanical properties through compression testing.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of primitive
Adjective
  • As long as the predominant globe-spanning Navy kept the seas free for everyone, there was no reason to be affiliated with any state.
    — Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The Odyssey is a story set in the Bronze Age, written in the Iron Age, measured by which metal was the predominant metal that went into weapons of war and other kinds of tools.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
Definition of predominant
Adjective
  • The work required felling primeval trees measuring six feet in diameter and digging a deep trench through the marsh to accommodate boat traffic.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Yeti takes place deep in the Alps, where an avalanche has unleashed something primeval from the glacial ice.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2026
Definition of primeval
Adjective
  • The biggest takeaway from the Ravens’ dominant win over the Eagles was impressive showings from Baltimore’s rookie pass catchers.
    — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Summary Claressa Shields captured the WBC and WBA middleweight titles with a dominant sixth-round TKO victory over Kaye Scott in Atlanta.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of dominant
Adjective
  • The shapes that Heizer carved out of the earth seem both primordial and futuristic at the same time, evoking his fascination with Mesoamerican architecture.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Life on Earth is thought to have emerged from the primordial ooze some four billion years ago.
    — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of primordial

Browse Nearby Words

prima facie
primal
primarily
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Cite this Entry

“Primal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primal. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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