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
Dense clumps of primordial hydrogen and helium left over from the big bang collapsed under their own gravitational weight, igniting thermonuclear chain reactions at their cores that would light up the universe for the first time.
—
Conor Feehly, Scientific American, 4 Mar. 2025
The company's Avian Genomics Group is close to achieving primordial germ cells in pigeons, which would allow genetic testing of dodo characteristics in pigeons – similar to the mouse-mammoth experiments.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
For example, take Maika’s hunger, which is primordial, terrifying, and magnificent.
—Tiffany Leigh, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
However, the researchers are not yet ruling out the possibility that at least some of the water on Earth may be primordial in origin.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primordial
Conor Feehly, Scientific American, 4 Mar. 2025
The company's Avian Genomics Group is close to achieving primordial germ cells in pigeons, which would allow genetic testing of dodo characteristics in pigeons – similar to the mouse-mammoth experiments.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
For example, take Maika’s hunger, which is primordial, terrifying, and magnificent.
—Tiffany Leigh, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
However, the researchers are not yet ruling out the possibility that at least some of the water on Earth may be primordial in origin.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primordial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primordial
Adjective
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The dire wolf genome analyzed to determine what those changes were was extracted from two ancient samples—one a 13,000-year-old tooth found in Sheridan Pit, Ohio, the other a 72,000-year-old ear bone unearthed in American Falls, Idaho.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
7 Apr. 2025
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Colossal scientists have created three dire wolf pups by using ancient DNA, cloning and gene-editing technology to alter the genes of a gray wolf, the prehistoric dire wolf’s closest living relative, the company announced Monday.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Houde said these mammoth animals are a primitive group of proboscideans ('elephantoids') from which modern elephants evolved.—
Joseph J. Kolb,
Fox News,
18 July 2017
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Many are primitive and remote, and don’t have restrooms or water.—
OregonLive.com,
OregonLive.com,
12 July 2017
Adjective
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The truth is, sure—the odd primal scream or rage run probably isn’t gonna hurt ya.—
Carolyn L. Todd,
SELF,
21 Mar. 2025
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Gaga ended the song with a primal scream, her eyes wide and unblinking.—
Rachel Syme,
The New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The little mountain park lay almost at our feet, a gem of unspoiled primeval beauty.—
Percy Brown,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2025
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About three hours from the capital city of Quito, Ecuador, the cloud forest feels primeval and otherworldly.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Catalogs of data like mine abound in Netflix viewing histories, prehistoric Facebook posts, and, now, dialogues with ChatGPT—imprints of the way the web informs and commoditizes work and friendship, sorrow and joy.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2025
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From there, the byway shoots west toward Mancos and Mesa Verde National Park, home to one of the densest collections of prehistoric ruins in the U.S.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Mahdi's earliest memory was his father slamming his mother through a glass table and later lying to his son and saying his mother was dead.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
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Colossal said two of the dire wolves were born late last year, while the third arrived in early 2025.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primordial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primordial. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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