RUDIMENTARY Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

rudimentary

adjective

ˌrü-də-ˈmen-tə-rē

Definition of rudimentary

as in primitive

belonging to or characteristic of an early level of skill or development rudimentary shelters built by prehistoric peoples

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in basic

of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject had only a rudimentary knowledge of science

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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 rudimentary Nikki makes a kind of rudimentary sombrero that looks like a chip-and-dip, with a curved brim that is full of other treats. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026 This sort of classification task is something that rudimentary AI, or machine learning systems, have handled for decades. — Wen Shao, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026 Even a rudimentary machine with these capabilities leads to the halting problem. — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 6 Oct. 2026 The series also features rare live footage of chimpanzees using rudimentary tools (twigs or branches) to fish for algae at the bottom of a pond (see top video). — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rudimentary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rudimentary

Adjective

American consumers deserved bargains on digital watches, pocket calculators, and primitive computers.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Working with the era's primitive technology, Margaret thought through the various mishaps that could occur on a spaceflight and designed the software to handle every contingency.

— Dean Robbins, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of primitive

Adjective

There’s no such thing as a basic room here; even the smallest ones, at 240 to 260 square feet, look out over the bluffs to whitecaps winking in the sun.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
For the new fiscal year, the NSF’s budget is proposed to be cut in half, along with large budget cuts in most areas of basic science, including medical science at the National Institutes of Health.

— Mattanjah de Vries, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of basic

Adjective

For instance, in 1970 the mathematician John Conway introduced the Game of Life, where an elementary set of rules governing the movement of pixels on a screen leads to remarkably rich ecosystems.

— Noah Giansiracusa, Time, 26 Oct. 2026
Research from a Texas Christian University professor shows elementary students who get an hour of outdoor play daily perform better in the classroom.

— Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of elementary

Adjective

The basic model of competitive markets which one finds in an introductory economics textbook—where independent firms engage in cold arm’s-length transactions motivated by unadulterated self-interest—does not apply to the industry.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
JetBlue is offering some introductory fares for BlueFirst seats for select flights, including a $299 flight from Boston to Fort Lauderdale, a $249 option from New York to Fort Lauderdale and a $299 option from New York to Liberia, Costa Rica.

— Maggie Roth, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of introductory

Adjective

All this is at stake when fundamental science budgets are being drastically cut.

— Mattanjah de Vries, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Finally, there’s a fundamental misconception that estate planning is an expensive process that’s necessary only for older and wealthier people.

— Christina Wing, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of fundamental

Browse Nearby Words

rudimental

rudimentary

rudiments

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“Rudimentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rudimentary. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rudimentary

adjective

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