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
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
Safety concerns operate at a deeper level, touching primal fears that are difficult to dispel once activated.
—
Allen Adamson, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
He was also helped by film composer John Williams’ memorable two-note motif in the Jaws soundtrack that fed into primal fears about unseen predators being afoot and approaching.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
Two simple notes – E and F – have become synonymous with tension, fear and sharks, representing the primal dread of being stalked by a predator.
—Jared Bahir Browsh, The Conversation, 18 June 2025
While those by his side jumped for joy and screamed at the top of their lungs in primal celebrations, South Africa’s skipper simply bowed his head and tried to soak in the moment.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for primal
Allen Adamson, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
He was also helped by film composer John Williams’ memorable two-note motif in the Jaws soundtrack that fed into primal fears about unseen predators being afoot and approaching.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
Two simple notes – E and F – have become synonymous with tension, fear and sharks, representing the primal dread of being stalked by a predator.
—Jared Bahir Browsh, The Conversation, 18 June 2025
While those by his side jumped for joy and screamed at the top of their lungs in primal celebrations, South Africa’s skipper simply bowed his head and tried to soak in the moment.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for primal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primal
Adjective
-
Meander along the Big Bend Scenic Byway and stop along main streets and pull-offs that look interesting.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
6 July 2025
-
The Victorian Joint Counter-Terrorism Team, which includes Victoria state police, federal police and Australia's main domestic spy agency, said the fire was likely a politically motivated attack.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
Spanning about 30 hectares (74 ac), this ancient landscape has been under the microscope since the 1980s, thanks to pioneering archaeologist Dietrich Mania.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
12 July 2025
-
As an ancient threat emerges, endangering both Vikings and dragons, Hiccup’s friendship with Toothless becomes the key to forging a new future.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
Houde said these mammoth animals are a primitive group of proboscideans ('elephantoids') from which modern elephants evolved.—
Joseph J. Kolb,
Fox News,
18 July 2017
-
Many are primitive and remote, and don’t have restrooms or water.—
OregonLive.com,
OregonLive.com,
12 July 2017
Adjective
-
Pocketbook Issues Dominate The primary drivers of uncertainly are the cost of living, price inflation and general economic uncertainty.—
Pamela N. Danziger,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
-
The bill's primary sponsors include representatives Adam Matthews (R-Lebanon) and Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland).—
Mariyam Muhammad,
The Enquirer,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
As for the chthonic powers who might intrude upon us, the worst must be the Titans, primeval offspring of Gaia and Uranus, Earth and Sky.—
Lewis Hyde,
Harpers Magazine,
18 June 2025
-
The limp is the primeval sign, in many cultural myth systems, of autochthony: humans born from the earth, parentless.—
Nicholas Dames,
Harpers Magazine,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Scientists also revealed that these plumes, originating between the depths of 1,000 and 2,800 km (621 and 1,740 miles), contain varying isotopes, possibly from primordial mantle material, which makes the region slightly hotter than the surrounding mantle.—
Jay Kakade
July 05,
New Atlas,
5 July 2025
-
That would mean the centrifugal force arising from a spinning universe becomes a force acting in all directions away from the universe's parent primordial white hole.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
But this is not the predominant architectural style found in all of Cincinnati's neighborhoods, explained Cincinnati Preservation Association executive director Beth Johnson, a working group member.—
Sydney Franklin,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
-
There's near universal agreement that pay is a predominant factor in attracting and retaining teachers ― either to other schools or to other professions.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
Director Gareth Edwards and screenwriter David Koepp give EW the inside scoop on creating these prehistoric monsters.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
30 June 2025
-
Overall, the graves have slowly revealed new clues about the prehistoric society that lived in the region thousands of years ago.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primal. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share