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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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 team from Germany, Russia, Sweden and Switzerland said analysis of hair in the royal tomb where cannabis seeds turned up, sheds new light on the plant's role in ancient societies.
    — Mary Evans, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Standard calculations predict more primordial lithium-7 than astronomers observe in ancient stars.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of ancient
Adjective
  • Those genes and proteins suggested that LUCA had a basic metabolism, a functional cell membrane, and even a primitive immune system for fighting viruses.
    — Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Its composition suggests that the material originated from a geochemically distinct, relatively primitive region of Mars’ mantle.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of primitive
Adjective
  • On a primal level, New Order is close to being my absolute favorite music.
    — Jason Newman, Rolling Stone, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Anger and agita We’ve just witnessed an election that amounted to a primal scream.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of primal
Adjective
  • With their prehistoric dispersal methods long gone, are these trees at risk?
    — Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The dinosaur attacks have at least one upside, though, as running from the prehistoric beasts forces Denise and Greg to overcome their marital tension.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of prehistoric
Adjective
  • Standard calculations predict more primordial lithium-7 than astronomers observe in ancient stars.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Yet comets are not the only icy remnants that date back to such primordial times.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of primordial
Adjective
  • From crisp cotton sheets to cozy comforters and decorative quilts, early holiday sales are already giving shoppers plenty of reasons to give their bedroom a refresh.
    — Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The shooting took place early Monday morning at Moss Landing State Beach.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 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 14 Nov. 2026.

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