PRIMITIVE Synonyms: 162 Similar and Opposite Words

primitive 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpri-mə-tiv

Definition of primitive

as in rudimentary

belonging to or characteristic of an early level of skill or development primitive wooden tools were used before the Iron Age

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

primitive

2 of 2

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 primitive

Adjective

There’s a primitive part of our brains that still fears being eaten by something bigger than us. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026 Prince figured out how to make primitive-sounding electronics feel human. — Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026

Noun

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 See All Example Sentences for primitive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for primitive

Adjective

My Arabic, French, and Berber language skills are also rudimentary.

— Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026
For a while, Crystal Lake hews closely to the very rudimentary mythology introduced in Sean Cunningham’s original movie.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of rudimentary

Adjective

Even the climbing-vine wallpaper is yellowed, as if gradually discolored by the cigarettes of a thousand ancient Sundays.

— Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
Madrid sits on an ancient migration route that has always been part of a vast grid of farming paths covering the Iberian Peninsula.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of ancient

Adjective

Wellbeing and community are the buzzwords here, with an impeccable roster of classes and courses from yin yoga and primal movement to cookery, pickling and ceramics.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
Prepare for emotion, some skin, swearing, darkness, a primal scream and lightning.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of primal

Adjective

The actor wore a long black leather coat over a simple black tank, paired with straight-leg blue jeans cinched with a leather belt.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026
The company played with flexible workdays instead of rigid schedules, clearer windows for collaboration, simpler rules for meetings, better ways to share and document work, and more intentional reasons for coming together in person.

— Deborah Lovich, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of simple

Noun

And mostly, the comedian known for his savage takedowns and viral beefs is keeping his cool.

— Timothy Bella, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026
Among the English-speaking settlers, the events at Lake George would be remembered as a massacre, and the Indigenous people whose home this was, whose conventions of war did not match those of the European empires, were called savages.

— James Whorton Jr, Longreads, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of savage

Browse Nearby Words

primings

primitive

primitively

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Primitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primitive. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of primitive

adjective

noun

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