atavistic

adjective

Definition of atavisticnext
as in archaic
formal very primitive
—used to describe feelings or qualities that human beings have had from the earliest times atavistic instincts reverting to atavistic behavior

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for atavistic
  1. archaic
  2. historical
  3. old-world
  4. outmoded
  5. bygone
  6. prehistoric
  7. antiquated
  8. historic
Adjective
  • The chain gang will still be on the field as a backup option, but the archaic measuring system will no longer be the primary way to determine a first down or not on close plays.
    — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
  • That would have been necessary in the technologically archaic Cohen building — absent the existential question now hovering over the networks.
    — David Folkenflik, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of archaic
Adjective
  • Season 3 of Mayfair Witches, starring Alexandra Daddario, will dive deeper into the mythology of witchcraft, introduce new ‘spellbound’ families and feature some of the historical happenings of Salem, the infamous town of witch trials and folklore.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • One of the key things that led Miller to pursue the project was the potential of broaching wider historical questions on the making of the United States from the jump point of the tornado.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of historical
Adjective
  • Add a coordinating duvet cover to bring decadent, old-world energy to even the most modern and minimal of bedrooms.
    — Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Lisbon is an accessible old-world capital city, with one of the lowest costs of living among Europe’s capitals.
    — Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of old-world
Adjective
  • Not least the outmoded idea that Republicans, when in power, shouldn’t use every available lever to implement their agenda.
    — Varad Mehta, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Instead of using this opportunity to make Bond a more inclusive franchise, Bezos could very well lean into the franchise’s outmoded machismo, returning Bond to an aggressive womanizer and pillar of a brand of masculinity that aligns with the values of the far right.
    — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 20 Feb. 2025
Definition of outmoded
Adjective
  • Begin your walking tour at Plaza Mayor Courtesy of Madrid City Tourism Start at the famous Plaza Mayor, whose 17th-century square transports you to a bygone era.
    — AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The net effect is the same: experiencing the look, feel, sound, and even smell of a bygone era when the Mustang was the car to beat.
    — Robert Ross, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of bygone
Adjective
  • Part of what makes America beautiful is its special creatures like the prehistoric-looking Mojave desert tortoise, whose survival in Nevada is more dire since a federal grant awarded to protect it from being run over by cars is among the frozen grants.
    — Noël Fletcher, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Yet, no evidence of cooking or consumption has been found—unlike some other prehistoric sites where frog bones bear cut marks or signs of burning.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of prehistoric
Adjective
  • In 2018, Russia blamed Israel for an incident in which an antiquated Syrian S-200 anti-aircraft missile destroyed a Russian military transport while targeting Israeli fighter jets, killing all 15 Russian personnel aboard.
    — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Too many fouls, not enough freedom for creativity and an antiquated two halves format have kept him from diving in.
    — C.J. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of antiquated
Adjective
  • Haphazardly, Cassidy has continued to drive though the near-deserted historic district of Cape May.
    — Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Today, the property still maintains much of its original, historic charm—but with a sultry modern twist.
    — Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of historic
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.

Browse Nearby Words

atavisms
atavistic
at close quarters
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Atavistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atavistic. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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