BASAL Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

basal

adjective

ˈbā-səl

Definition of basal

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

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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 When blooming slows in the fall, cut back the whole plant to the new basal growth to keep it healthy for spring. — Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 22 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for basal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for basal

Adjective

But the pueblo blanco of Casares makes a good day trip, though meals are on the basic side in the town’s restaurants and cafes.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Off-duty models stepped out in nonchalant style, pairing the jeans with basic tops and simple belts, while fashion show attendees elevated the laidback fits with button-down denim shirts, neckties and colorful knitwear.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of basic

Adjective

Some of those had major errors, like a hand with six fingers and clocks with numbers in the wrong places, both of which were approved lesson plans for elementary classrooms.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2026
Saint followed her sister to Bowling Green State University in Ohio and majored in elementary education.

— Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of elementary

Adjective

The kitchenette is rudimentary with a mini fridge, stovetop (no oven), a sink, and a few cooking essentials, including two different coffee makers.

— Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 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

Definition of rudimentary

Adjective

Could younger athletes attend an introductory session before formal evaluation?

— Irma Davarashvili, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
But still, this felt different — as Gray himself noted in his moving introductory remarks, reflecting on growing up a few miles away from the Upper West Side.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of introductory

Adjective

Yun also emphasized underlying factors that might keep mortgage rates elevated for homebuyers over a longer period of time.

— Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
There’s a place for topical solutions and other hair loss treatments (including minoxidil), but blood tests are the first step to uncovering the underlying cause of shedding.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of underlying

Adjective

The 2026 Nobel Prize for Chemistry has been awarded to Henri Kagan of the Universite Paris-Sud, in France, and Kenso Soai of the Tokyo University of Science, in Japan, for their work exploring the fundamental geometry of molecules.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2026
Unless there's a dramatic fundamental change in the dynamic, Democrats are on pace to capture the Senate and House majorities in November.

— Nathan Gonzales CQ-Roll Call, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of fundamental

Browse Nearby Words

barters (for)

basal

base

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“Basal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/basal. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of basal

adjective

Example Sentences

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