variants
also archetypical
1
as in classic
constituting, serving as, or worthy of being a pattern to be imitated
St. Peter's basilica in Rome is considered by some art historians to be the archetypal structure in the baroque style
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in typical
having or showing the qualities associated with the members of a particular group or kind
the movie's hero is pretty archetypal, lacking in any distinctive qualities that would distinguish him from countless other masked avengers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of archetypal
This water sign embodies the archetypal mother; the protective space, the nurturing force, and these qualities are precisely what dominates now.
—
Danijela Pilic, Glamour, 3 Jan. 2026
Director Nadia Hallgren had immense access to Obama, following her across a 34-city book tour and turning the introspective writing into a dynamic reflection of the author as the archetypal modern woman.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Jan. 2026
The My Struggle author has been back in the business of non-autobiographical novels for a few years now, but there’s something familiar, even archetypal, about the narrator of The School of Night, the fourth volume in Knausgaard’s Morning Star sequence.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
In a region known for its rolling landscapes, romantic hill towns, and outstanding cuisine, Val d’Orcia is the archetypal Tuscany.
—Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 23 Dec. 2025
Aspen is the archetypical snow globe of a mountain town.
—Zachary Weiss, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025
Ollie Watkins is the only archetypal forward at Emery’s disposal, with Donyell Malen regarded more as a support striker or wide forward.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Some of Ingram’s meditations follow the rhythms of an archetypal standup joke.
—Tyler Foggatt, New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2025
In popular culture, the archetypal look of a witch is a female figure generally depicted wearing a black dress, robe, or cloak.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025
Danijela Pilic, Glamour, 3 Jan. 2026
Director Nadia Hallgren had immense access to Obama, following her across a 34-city book tour and turning the introspective writing into a dynamic reflection of the author as the archetypal modern woman.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Jan. 2026
The My Struggle author has been back in the business of non-autobiographical novels for a few years now, but there’s something familiar, even archetypal, about the narrator of The School of Night, the fourth volume in Knausgaard’s Morning Star sequence.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
In a region known for its rolling landscapes, romantic hill towns, and outstanding cuisine, Val d’Orcia is the archetypal Tuscany.
—Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 23 Dec. 2025
Aspen is the archetypical snow globe of a mountain town.
—Zachary Weiss, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025
Ollie Watkins is the only archetypal forward at Emery’s disposal, with Donyell Malen regarded more as a support striker or wide forward.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Some of Ingram’s meditations follow the rhythms of an archetypal standup joke.
—Tyler Foggatt, New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2025
In popular culture, the archetypal look of a witch is a female figure generally depicted wearing a black dress, robe, or cloak.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for archetypal
Adjective
-
The move reflects a shifting tennis sponsorship landscape, with classic brands long associated with the professional tour, like Fila, Sergio Tacchini, and Ellesse, being replaced by younger activewear brands like FP Movement, Lululemon, and Vuori.—
Jessica Schiffer,
Vogue,
14 Jan. 2026
-
All three have been spotted sporting a pair of Adidas sneakers, and so many popular styles are on sale for up to 50 percent off — including the classic Sambas that are rarely marked down.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The company intends to move away from the low-volume manufacturing typical of the aviation industry.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The project could also bypass typical rezoning requirements, allowing building to occur in agricultural and natural areas.—
Ryan Ballogg,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Podziemski agreed that Kuminga’s attitude has been exemplary through trying times.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
For other exemplary sips, drive up and around the other side of Etna to visit Vino di Anna, Tenuta delle Terre Nere Winery, SRC, and Frank Cornelissen.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This single fine is close to the normal total of $8 million to $10 million in all fines that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration hands out each year.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Trump, as is his want, is just doing the normal thing without the usual white niceties that come with imperialist machinations.—
Elie Mystal,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The best beanies for women are quintessential cold-weather hats that strike a delicate balance between staying warm and looking polished, even when the weather is anything but fashion-friendly.—
Alison Syrett Cleary,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
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The quintessential style merges the charm of a vintage silhouette with a more mature, modern appeal.—
Nina Derwin,
Glamour,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Tucker’s $60 million average annual value would be the second-highest in baseball history, not factoring discounting, behind Shohei Ohtani’s $70 million in his 10-year deal with the Dodgers that runs through 2033.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Jan. 2026
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Residential properties made up just under a third of the average family office's real estate holdings, per the same report.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Will speaking characters into action be a novelty or a mainstay — a paradigmatic way of interacting with screens or just a passing diversion that will turn this deal cringe in short order?—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Dec. 2025
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The paradigmatic helicopter parent hovered from a distance and in most cases didn’t follow their child to college.—
Russell Shaw,
The Atlantic,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
For its first link-up with Salomon, OAMC looked to the past, applying a retro hiking aesthetic to the otherwise modern build of the standard XT-Quest model.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The outlet noted that a few individuals studied had spent extended, yearlong stints aboard the International Space Station, while the standard duration for a mission is around six months.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Archetypal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archetypal. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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