rudimentary

adjective

ˌrü-də-ˈmen-tə-rē How to pronounce rudimentary (audio)
Definition of rudimentarynext
1
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
2
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 Initially a rudimentary, box-like affair, things have improved since, thanks mainly to the addition of a second tier behind the goal. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026 And packing no GoTo computer requires at least a rudimentary knowledge of the night sky and a star atlas or planetarium software. — Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026 The narrator, purged of identifiers except for her yearning, her rational faculties, and her sense of unbelonging, is counterintuitively relatable—a portrait of rudimentary, universal humanity. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 Fauci repeated his statement, answering none of the rudimentary questions. — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rudimentary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rudimentary
  1. primitive
  2. basic
  3. elementary
  4. introductory
  5. fundamental
Adjective
  • When the Followers began, healthcare on the Western frontier was primitive, unsanitary and riddled with con artists peddling fake cures.
    — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026
  • In an early study, researchers collected about five hours of primitive tennis movements from amateur players using a compact motion-capture setup.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of primitive
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
  • 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
  • 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

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rudimentary
rudiments
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Cite this Entry

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

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