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primordial

adjective

prī-ˈmȯr-dē-əl How to pronounce primordial (audio)
Definition of primordialnext
as in ancient
relating to or occurring near the beginning of a process, series, or time period all life on Earth supposedly came from a primordial ooze in existence many millions of years ago

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 primordial The shapes that Heizer carved out of the earth seem both primordial and futuristic at the same time, evoking his fascination with Mesoamerican architecture. — News Desk, Artforum, 14 Aug. 2026 Life on Earth is thought to have emerged from the primordial ooze some four billion years ago. — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026 The primordial ooze here remains a blend of pluggnB and West Coast rap experimentalism a la Odd Future, the same sauce that linked 2023’s Balling Out of Spite with last year’s level-up art Pop*Pop Art. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 29 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for primordial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primordial
  1. ancient
  2. primitive
  3. primal
  4. primeval
  5. prehistoric
  6. early
Adjective
  • Researchers have found evidence that ancient humans chewed on betel nuts, a stimulant still widely used today.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The discovery of the tooth, which belonged to an ancient Pacific mastodon, was announced by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) in San Mateo County, California.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of ancient
Adjective
  • Yet, the oxygen isotopes in these primitive samples remained virtually untouched by parent-body alteration.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026
  • This confident hybrid of live action and animation is unapologetically primitive and loose.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of primitive
Adjective
  • Palate-cleansing, complex, but also leaving an urge for a more primal satisfaction.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Jefferson’s relationship with Hemings is a primal scene in the national imagination.
    — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of primal
Adjective
  • The work required felling primeval trees measuring six feet in diameter and digging a deep trench through the marsh to accommodate boat traffic.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Yeti takes place deep in the Alps, where an avalanche has unleashed something primeval from the glacial ice.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2026
Definition of primeval
Adjective
  • The cave had effectively served as a prehistoric rest and maintenance station.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Robert Eagle, a co-author of the study and a geobiologist at University of California, Los Angeles, pioneered this approach to measuring prehistoric body temperatures.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of prehistoric
Adjective
  • Gray praised the producers and actors who helped bring the film to life and reflected on his early dreams of being a filmmaker.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The stage musical based on one of the biggest movies ever made in Connecticut finally makes it here on a national tour and an earlier tour was canceled.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of early

Browse Nearby Words

primogenitors
primordial
primp
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Cite this Entry

“Primordial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primordial. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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