1
as in forerunner
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
the abacus is sometimes cited as the archetype of the modern digital calculator
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in original
something from which copies are made
Beowulf is considered by some scholars to be the archetype for medieval British heroic tales
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of archetype
In keeping with the classics, his list for Vulture includes twists on archetypes like the Manhattan, French 75 and Bee’s Knees, as well as an entire section dedicated to martinis and other martini-adjacent cocktails such as the sweeter Martinez.
—
Candice Woo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2025
By contrast, Pascal, even while playing a restrained version of a golden movie archetype, is so innately compelling on screen the movie can’t help but lean his way.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
Lindbergh, the tall, fresh-faced Midwesterner, embodied a new American archetype: the Lone Eagle.
—David Rooney
june 5, Literary Hub, 5 June 2025
European cinema helped to produce much of summer noir’s lexicon of themes, settings, and archetypes: Its fascination with the storied decadence of the leisure class—and the profligate rituals of the seasonal tourist—appeared in earlier film satires by Jean Renoir and Jacques Tati.
—Erik Morse, Vogue, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for archetype
Candice Woo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2025
By contrast, Pascal, even while playing a restrained version of a golden movie archetype, is so innately compelling on screen the movie can’t help but lean his way.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
Lindbergh, the tall, fresh-faced Midwesterner, embodied a new American archetype: the Lone Eagle.
—David Rooney
june 5, Literary Hub, 5 June 2025
European cinema helped to produce much of summer noir’s lexicon of themes, settings, and archetypes: Its fascination with the storied decadence of the leisure class—and the profligate rituals of the seasonal tourist—appeared in earlier film satires by Jean Renoir and Jacques Tati.
—Erik Morse, Vogue, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for archetype
Recent Examples of Synonyms for archetype
Noun
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The killer is a man who, for all his delusions, pokes at the other men’s complacency and domesticity — making this thriller a forerunner of everything from Easy Rider to The Hitcher to Collateral. 20.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
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Here is a look at some of the most likely forerunners to serve as the 267th pope, according to public reporting.—
Caitlin McFall,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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His Tron sequel arrived 28 years after the Disney original, which had revolutionized visual effects back in 1982 with its action-adventure set inside a video game.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
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Over the years, Caguioa has replaced the headgear on deer with real antlers and the originals mounted on moose with synthetic alternatives.—
Paul Nicolaus,
Smithsonian Magazine,
26 June 2025
Noun
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The gift of 'The Mahabharata' that my ancestors gave me is truly the gift that keeps giving.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
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The same ancestor who founded this homestead left his own family behind in Georgia; that cold resolve is Hailey’s inheritance too.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2025
Noun
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To do so, Nemo audaciously steals a prototype submarine from the penal colony in which he is imprisoned, escaping into the ocean with a motley crew of fellow prisoners.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
8 July 2025
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Try generating your own wireframe or high-fidelity prototype.—
Shyam Ravindranathan,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Noun
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Organizations can measure psychological safety data as a precursor to inclusion.—
Julie Kratz,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
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Washington said the firms funneled money to Chinese firms that produce the precursors for fentanyl, the powerful synthetic opioid that has stoked a drug epidemic in the US.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
27 June 2025
Noun
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Democracy in Action has kept the source of its funding secret.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
1 July 2025
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While Robinson could begin talking about a new deal with other teams when free agency opens around the league Monday at 6 p.m., returning to the Heat on a new contract also remains a possibility, according to a league source.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Archetype.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archetype. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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