basal

adjective

ˈbā-səl How to pronounce basal (audio)
Definition of basalnext
as in basic
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject many students lacked even a basal familiarity with the topic

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 basal On the other hand, Silphium terebinthinaceum has basal foliage that stays close to the ground while its inflorescence is wildly airy. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 12 Aug. 2026 Your eyes constantly produce a thin layer of basal tears to keep the cornea lubricated, and the duct quietly shuttles that trickle into the nose, where it’s absorbed or blended into normal nasal mucus without a trace. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 If dopamine neurons in the basal ganglia degenerate as happens in Parkinson’s disease, movements become harder to initiate and slower once they are commenced. — Literary Hub, 13 May 2026 Plants produce a basal rosette of downy foliage in their first year and flower in the second season, after which the plants typically die out. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for basal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for basal
  1. basic
  2. elementary
  3. rudimentary
  4. introductory
  5. underlying
  6. fundamental
Adjective
  • Between the classic crossbody design, gold hardware accents, and rich color, this purse is anything but basic.
    — Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 3 Sep. 2026
  • There’s nothing basic about this evening look from the Elie Saab H&M collaboration.
    — Tina Isaac-Goizé, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of basic
Adjective
  • The additional restrictions at these school districts come a few months after the school district and police department in Rocklin banned Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes on elementary and middle school campuses.
    — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Adding West High School will require drawing a third zone, and the zone boundaries will affect the racial and socioeconomic balance of schools, along with transportation times and feeder patterns for elementary and middle schools.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of elementary
Adjective
  • Using rudimentary 3-D animation tools, the film looks janky, with sharp edges and bad editing.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The panels were expensive and rudimentary by today’s standards.
    — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of rudimentary
Adjective
  • When model Tricia Helfer came in for a touch-up before an introductory visit to her boyfriend’s parents, Johns toned down her bright blonde chunks to play up her naturally innocent looks.
    — Vanessa Friedman, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
  • While Happy Head offers introductory costs at $36 for the topical solution and supplements, the prices increase substantially after the first month.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of introductory
Adjective
  • Insulet is a high-quality compounder where a temporary execution issue is masking strong underlying fundamentals.
    — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Urinating too frequently can even be a sign of an underlying health condition that needs attention.
    — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of underlying
Adjective
  • This will accelerate an arms race as each side fears losing its ability to retaliate, a fundamental requirement of nuclear stability.
    — Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026
  • If operating as one team is the objective, the challenge extends beyond culture to the fundamental way success is defined and measured across the enterprise.
    — Guy Yehiav, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of fundamental

Browse Nearby Words

barters (for)
basal
base
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Basal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/basal. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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