1
as in rudimentary
belonging to or characteristic of an early level of skill or development
primitive wooden tools were used before the Iron Age
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
a primitive period in church history when members still lived in communes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
her taste in art was still primitive, but she knew schlock when she saw it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in barbarian
Related Words
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 primitive
Quanta Magazine, 1 Aug. 2024
Meanwhile, humans have regressed into being primitives that the apes hunt for sport, or feed out of pity from beside their campfire.
—EW.com, 2 Nov. 2023
Shawn Pierce, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Due to an accidental feature of this primitive technology, the color of television made in the middle nineteen sixties is essentially public, rather than private.
—Scott Stossel, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primitive
Adjective
It can be used to achieve a lot of other cryptographic primitives.
—Quanta Magazine, 1 Aug. 2024
Meanwhile, humans have regressed into being primitives that the apes hunt for sport, or feed out of pity from beside their campfire.
—EW.com, 2 Nov. 2023
Noun
The Coming Labor Revolution Makes Events Essential The next five years will bring changes that make today’s AI implementations look primitive.
—Shawn Pierce, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Due to an accidental feature of this primitive technology, the color of television made in the middle nineteen sixties is essentially public, rather than private.
—Scott Stossel, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primitive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primitive
Adjective
-
Without data centers, flights would be grounded (pilots could not get weather info and flight plans would not be available), communication would become rudimentary, payments would stop processing (welcome back, bartering) — even 911, which goes through an online system, would shut down.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Over time, these rudimentary structures gave way to more ambitious designs.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Proximity to several universities has filled the area with used book stores, cheap restaurants, and coffee shops that were ancient before anyone ever heard of Starbucks.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Specifically, they have been designed to explore lava tubes or underground tunnels formed by ancient volcanic activity that may exist on the moon.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Guerida line nodding to private estate La Querida and its white façades, emerald green lawns and ocean views offered a more naïve take on the colored theme by mean of hearts and floral motifs juxtaposed in a ring, bracelet and pendant earrings.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Even when their views are naive or ill-considered, protesters are among the minority of people willing to take risks and devote time and energy to the pursuit of a better world.—
Christopher L. Eisgruber,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Bautista will have the plum role of the immortal barbarian known as The Kurgen, who has been killing other immortals across the centuries in order to absorb their essence.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Aug. 2025
-
This barbarian conceptualized this atrocity and brought it to reality.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
Frigate birds began to glide past us, their spearlike beaks and thin, angular wings giving them the prehistoric appearance of pterodactyls.—
Simon Willis,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Humans have been tying knots since prehistoric times for their practicality and beauty.—
Emma R. Hasson,
Scientific American,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Strufe adds that while intelligence agencies or cybercriminals have simpler ways to monitor people – such as accessing CCTV cameras or video doorbells – the widespread presence of wireless networks could eventually form a near-comprehensive surveillance infrastructure.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Oct. 2025
-
The simplest way to find influential people in a network is called degree centrality—just count the number of connections for each person.—
Jack Murtagh,
Scientific American,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The 'Kill Tony' host, Hinchcliffe, famously appeared at last year's massive Netflix roast for Tom Brady and generated buzz for his savage lines aimed at the NFL legend.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Texas is gearing up for war as a savage, flesh-eating fly appears poised for a US invasion and is expanding its range of victims.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Being fed this way, tasting my mother or Usha’s fingers mingled with the food still feels like the most primal act of care.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Let the Light In A music video exploring both the social and individual experiences of interiority within both primal optimism and darkness.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primitive. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share