prehistoric
adjective
pre·his·tor·ic
ˌprē-(h)i-ˈstȯr-ik 
-ˈstär-
variants
or less commonly prehistorical
ˌprē-(h)i-ˈstȯr-i-kəl
-ˈstär-
1
: of, relating to, or existing in times antedating written history
2
: of or relating to a language in a period of its development from which contemporary records of its sounds and forms have not been preserved
3
: regarded as being outdated or outmoded
prehistoric attitudes
Synonyms
Examples of prehistoric in a Sentence
His attitudes about women are downright prehistoric.
prehistoric notions about mental illness that have no place in today's world
Recent Examples on the Web
Studies involving these prehistoric creatures often rely on teeth above all else; a durable enamel coating helps teeth fossilize reliably, although enamel thickness differs among dinosaur species.
—
Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 1 Jan. 2025
Of course, there is no direct information on prehistoric fighting styles, so van Dijk and Mors relied on basic biomechanics of combat movements with similar weapons detailed in historic manuals.
—Ars Technica, 30 Dec. 2024
But physical evidence of people who lived many millennia ago helps illustrate prehistoric life, underscoring surprising parallels with modern society.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Dec. 2024
As permafrost melts, scientists are able to discover prehistoric animals such as mammoths like this one, bison,and dogs.
—Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prehistoric 
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Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 1 Jan. 2025
Of course, there is no direct information on prehistoric fighting styles, so van Dijk and Mors relied on basic biomechanics of combat movements with similar weapons detailed in historic manuals.
—Ars Technica, 30 Dec. 2024
But physical evidence of people who lived many millennia ago helps illustrate prehistoric life, underscoring surprising parallels with modern society.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Dec. 2024
As permafrost melts, scientists are able to discover prehistoric animals such as mammoths like this one, bison,and dogs.
—Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prehistoric
Dictionary Entries Near prehistoric
Cite this Entry
“Prehistoric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prehistoric. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prehistoric
adjective
pre·his·tor·ic
ˌprē-(h)is-ˈtȯr-ik
-ˈtär-
: of, relating to, or existing in times before written history
prehistoric animals
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