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
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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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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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The new lodge sat on the foundation of the former and used many of the original's materials, but was scaled back in its design, removing a second story and observation tower that were part of the original, according to the National Park Service.—
Perry Vandell,
AZCentral.com,
13 July 2025
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To appreciate the essence of the 911, one really has to go back to the original.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
11 July 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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Chinese authorities have since controlled a number of these precursor chemicals.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
12 July 2025
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As a precursor of sorts for CBS stalwart Survivor (which returns for its 49th edition on September 24), Big Brother is the perfect reality appetizer before the ultimate main course.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
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The senior bonus deduction, Watson points out, applies to any source of taxable income that a taxpayer who is 65 or older has and may not necessarily eliminate all tax on Social Security benefits.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
14 July 2025
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One anonymous source donated 40 units, but since then, White said, there have been few, if any, such offerings.—
Jerry Shnay,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Archetype.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archetype. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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