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: regarded as being outdated or outmoded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
Its appearance is somewhat prehistoric, with a broad, flattened head and large, paddle-like pectoral and pelvic fins that give it a somewhat awkward but distinctive swimming style.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024
These often aerial animals, believed to be the modern-day cousins of prehistoric dinosaurs, continue to stand the test of time.
—Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Sep. 2024
Behl is testing the chemical and mineral composition of the fossil blocks, hoping scientists can learn more about these prehistoric environments including the atmosphere and the conditions that enabled animal remains to fossilize.
—Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2024
Since their search began, more than 70,000 artifacts have been unearthed, including skeletal remains in prehistoric burials that are believed to date back 16,000 years.
—Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 12 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prehistoric 
Scott Travers, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024
These often aerial animals, believed to be the modern-day cousins of prehistoric dinosaurs, continue to stand the test of time.
—Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Sep. 2024
Behl is testing the chemical and mineral composition of the fossil blocks, hoping scientists can learn more about these prehistoric environments including the atmosphere and the conditions that enabled animal remains to fossilize.
—Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2024
Since their search began, more than 70,000 artifacts have been unearthed, including skeletal remains in prehistoric burials that are believed to date back 16,000 years.
—Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 12 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prehistoric
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prehistoric.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near prehistoric
Cite this Entry
“Prehistoric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prehistoric. Accessed 23 Sep. 2024.
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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