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
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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
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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
-
Ants display rudimentary counting abilities, can understand the concept of zero and make tools.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The voice performers — including Thomas Lennon, Kyle Mooney, Melissa Villasenor, and Fortune Feimster — are superior to the rudimentary computer animation that probably works better on the small screen.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Sep. 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
-
Jane’s voice shifts from that of a naïve girl to that of a capable young woman as Laser traces her path out of the wilderness.—
AudioFile Magazine
September 30,
Literary Hub,
30 Sep. 2025
-
His hesitation has been seen publicly as naïve and risky, eroding faith in the monarchy.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 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
-
Its image is painted on ancient Southwestern pottery and chiseled into prehistoric petroglyphs that line Texas canyons.—
Hollace Ava Weiner,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Oct. 2025
-
From the Elgol dinosaur to the Krusatodon or the world’s largest pterosaur fossil from the Jurassic period, fossils found here have shaped our understanding of the prehistoric world.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Jared Jewelers Bulova Phantom Watch A watch is both practical and fashionable, and this style adds a touch of sparkle to simple outfits.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Each year, as the temperature rises, the town’s regular population of around 300 swells with thousands of kids soaking up the simple pleasures of the great outdoors.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
4 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
-
More than a decade later, the series continues to reimagine American histories and channel primal fears — from clowns and cults, to witches and ghosts — with each installment cloaked in social commentary and camp.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
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Watching a mother turtle haul herself ashore under a canopy of stars to lay her eggs is a truly primal and humbling sight.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primitive. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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