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
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Recent Examples of primordial
Such stars are the key quarry that JWST was designed for—stellar orbs composed of the pristine, primordial hydrogen and helium gas that was summoned into being by the big bang.
—
Lee Billings, Scientific American, 13 May 2026
Later in life, when my family moved to America and summer visits were harder to organize, a craving for that primordial silence bonded me to my mother.
—Chiara Barzini, Vogue, 9 May 2026
This primordial gulp, creating a condition known as endosymbiosis (also thought to be the origin story of mitochondria), is believed to have happened just once.
—Quanta Magazine, 4 May 2026
Both spring from some primordial, paradoxical desire to see oneself and to lose oneself — to be acknowledged by the vast universe as something singular with meaning and purpose, and also to merge with that vastness, to overflow the constraints of one tiny body, one narrow soul.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for primordial
Lee Billings, Scientific American, 13 May 2026
Later in life, when my family moved to America and summer visits were harder to organize, a craving for that primordial silence bonded me to my mother.
—Chiara Barzini, Vogue, 9 May 2026
This primordial gulp, creating a condition known as endosymbiosis (also thought to be the origin story of mitochondria), is believed to have happened just once.
—Quanta Magazine, 4 May 2026
Both spring from some primordial, paradoxical desire to see oneself and to lose oneself — to be acknowledged by the vast universe as something singular with meaning and purpose, and also to merge with that vastness, to overflow the constraints of one tiny body, one narrow soul.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for primordial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primordial
Adjective
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Grounding might include a Ku Nye full-body massage inspired by ancient Tibetan healing traditions that stimulates the meridian system, acupressure, kneading, deep-tissue techniques and a Tibetan head massage.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
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Naadam is described as an ancient cultural spectacle and one of the few opportunities outsiders get to experience Mongolian culture up close.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Campsites The park has two primitive (no hookups) campsites—one in each of the two main units.—
Julia Sayers Gokhale,
Midwest Living,
1 June 2026
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Most subsea drones can only trade sparse, primitive status blips.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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The bugs seem to have a primal knowledge of my whereabouts, and a craving for my blood that goes beyond mere thirst.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2026
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While the immortal jellyfish evokes our wonder and curiosity, the deep sea and its creatures can often stir a deep, primal fear in us.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Adjective
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This 50-square-mile crescent in the Pacific has the southernmost coral reef in the world and a wealth of wilderness walks that include everything from primeval banyan forests to endangered ground-dwelling birds.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Dec. 2025
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Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California Time slows to a primeval pace in the sequoia groves that make up Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, where arboreal giants have watched the seasons come and go for more than 2,000 years.—
Sarah L. Stewart,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Europe is home to some of the most iconic ancient ruins on the planet, from prehistoric stone circles to entire Roman cities frozen in time.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2026
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This is quintessential Alberta—a place where Indigenous traditions breathe life into the land, where artistry ignites the soul, and where prehistoric treasures foster unwavering connections.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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The intelligence-gathering site became another means by which Israel could collect information on Iranian military movements and facilities, as well as potentially providing early warning of missile launches.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
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Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum stated that the promenade would connect the back side of the Lincoln Memorial to the Potomac River and that the promenade was a part of the McMillian Plan, the early 20th century plan that laid out the National Mall.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Primordial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primordial. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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