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
Relevance
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
Suddenly, 43 seconds later, the sky cracked open and light came screaming out in a primeval flash of energy.
—
David Perlmutt, Charlotte Observer, 6 Aug. 2025
Lemaître referred to the Big Bang as a primeval atom.
—Quanta Magazine, 24 July 2025
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
Our own moon shows evidence of primeval tidal heating too.
—Robin Andrews, Wired News, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for primeval
David Perlmutt, Charlotte Observer, 6 Aug. 2025
Lemaître referred to the Big Bang as a primeval atom.
—Quanta Magazine, 24 July 2025
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
Our own moon shows evidence of primeval tidal heating too.
—Robin Andrews, Wired News, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for primeval
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primeval
Adjective
-
One is that the isotopic ratios of sulfur are a legacy not of Earth, but of the chemical composition of Theia, and that more of the moon is made from debris originating from this ancient protoplanet than had been thought.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The landscapes feel plucked from an epic poem, and centuries of battles, folklore, and ancient clans set the tone for a vibrant culture steeped in history.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
12 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
-
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
-
The genre pic stars Johnny Sequoyah, Jessica Alexander and Troy Kotsur and centers on a group of friends on a tropical vacation that turns into a terrifying and primal tale of horror and survival.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Oct. 2025
-
In the pic, a group of friends’ tropical vacation turns into a terrifying, primal tale of horror and survival.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
16 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
Adjective
-
But waves at much higher frequencies, produced by phenomena like primordial black holes or processes in the early universe, have remained elusive.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Oct. 2025
-
At the same time, Colossal is using a similar culture to grow the primordial germ cells of the Nicobar pigeon, which is more closely related to the dodo.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
These decisions have significantly affected the availability of polling places, early voting, absentee ballot eligibility, and even the provision of food and water to voters waiting in lines for hours to vote, likely due to limitations mentioned above.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Nichushkin atoned for his earlier mistake with the third goal of the period.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primeval.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primeval. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share