primeval

adjective

prī-ˈmē-vəl How to pronounce primeval (audio)
Definition of primevalnext
as in ancient
relating to or occurring near the beginning of a process, series, or time period primeval forests slowly disappearing as the climate changed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 primeval The fragrance that wafts from the dish when the lid is lifted heightens the anticipation, the nose being the first point of entry and the most primeval of our senses. — Literary Hub, 4 Feb. 2026 The landscape of Rapa Nui probably never incorporated the sort of primeval forest of palm trees imagined in popular accounts, Pitts writes, but was more mixed, and scrubbier, with no one species of charismatic megaflora dominating. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026 Astrophysicists now believe that this nebulous stuff is a stellar incubator; the primeval chaos from which star formation is presently underway. — Joe Rao, Space.com, 16 Jan. 2026 Instead, the franchise has been retooled for this brutal and bleak moment, further weaponizing desperation at a time when competition already feels omnipresent and almost primeval. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 13 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for primeval
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primeval
  1. ancient
  2. primitive
  3. primal
  4. prehistoric
  5. primordial
  6. early
Adjective
  • The company’s Orick sawmill began operating in 1954 and processed ancient redwoods for 55 years before closing in October 2009.
    — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
  • The disaster also prompted the study of ancient floods as a way to gauge how common large flash floods are in specific areas — a field called paleoflood hydrology.
    — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 27 July 2026
Definition of ancient
Adjective
  • But the football was largely primitive and uncompetitive, as only 13 countries competed.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 23 July 2026
  • But the Deadheads also evince an honest yearning for something that’s tribal, primitive, sacred, ancient, shamanic, ecstatic.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 July 2026
Definition of primitive
Adjective
  • Inning over, Skubal flexed and let out one of his patented primal roars.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 25 July 2026
  • The gruesome tragedy transforms every scene that follows, and as Irene’s trauma mutates into something primal, what begins as a portrait of impossible loss reveals itself as a visceral examination of survival itself.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 24 July 2026
Definition of primal
Adjective
  • While the area was formerly covered by prehistoric lakes, today the water here mainly exists as seasonal wetlands, gurgling geysers, hot springs, and a hypersaline lake that’s saltier than the ocean.
    — Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2026
  • The species has remained unchanged since prehistoric times, finding ways to survive while other species became extinct, according to the San Diego Zoo.
    — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 16 July 2026
Definition of prehistoric
Adjective
  • The area around the park truly embodies the classic, primordial look of a southern swamp with its blackwater mirror reflections and towering cypress and tupelo trees with Spanish moss dangling from them.
    — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026
  • Meddy is a teen mortal in a family of primordial sea deities.
    — Janey Wetzel, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026
Definition of primordial
Adjective
  • The prefect of the Gironde region that includes Bordeaux ordered the evacuation in the early hours of Saturday, covering parts of three of the city’s western suburbs, including its airport.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • Enrollment is expected to continue growing this upcoming school year, said Rigg, though the archdiocese won’t know an exact number until early October.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
Definition of early

Browse Nearby Words

primes
primeval
priming
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Cite this Entry

“Primeval.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primeval. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of primeval for Spanish Speakers

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