PRIMAL Synonyms: 113 Similar and Opposite Words

primal

adjective

ˈprī-məl

Definition of primal

as in main

coming before all others in importance the primal theme of the essay is toleration of religious diversity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ancient

relating to or occurring near the beginning of a process, series, or time period there was a period of primal idealism after the founding of the republic and before the rise of partisan politics

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 primal Or did a Greek soldier really kill a disguised Athena, breaking Zeus’s law in its most primal form? — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 July 2026 Warm shades like yellow, orange, and gold channel the sign’s solar energy, while cheetah print hints at this sign’s primal energy. — Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 17 July 2026 Many of the messages are peddling a sense of pride and belonging — primal impulses at the heart of the MAGA movement. — Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 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, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for primal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for primal

Adjective

Speaking to voters Of course, there are skeptics everywhere in this arena, not least concerning the two main protagonists.

— Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
This main event headlines the first PBC world title fight of the new DAZN era, also broadcast on Prime Video.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of main

Adjective

In a sport written about in ancient Greek literature, no one has thrown a discus as far as Mykolas Alekna.

— Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
The story follows ancient creatures appearing in the modern world, prompting heroes from different countries to confront a rising darkness threatening the region.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of ancient

Adjective

Some researchers have argued that LUCA was a complex cell with a primitive immune system to protect against viruses.

— Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026
Porous feet deliver The researchers designed and 3D-printed three hemispherical TPMS variants—primitive, gyroid and diamond—and evaluated their mechanical properties through compression testing.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of primitive

Adjective

As long as the predominant globe-spanning Navy kept the seas free for everyone, there was no reason to be affiliated with any state.

— Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
The Odyssey is a story set in the Bronze Age, written in the Iron Age, measured by which metal was the predominant metal that went into weapons of war and other kinds of tools.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026

Definition of predominant

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

Apple’s market dominance is built around September; moving away from tradition would upset the ecosystem supporting the launch and risk weakening the iPhone’s dominant position.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
There have been plenty of dominant teams in the 150-plus-year history of college football, but few have left a bigger mark on the sport than the Miami Hurricanes did during the 1980s.

— Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of dominant

Adjective

Life on Earth is thought to have emerged from the primordial ooze some four billion years ago.

— Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026
Here, a source of primordial terror—the gaze that petrifies—is deflected by way of the highly polished shield that Perseus wields against the creature.

— Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of primordial

Browse Nearby Words

prima facie

primal

primarily

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“Primal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primal. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of primal

adjective

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