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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 archetype
Ingram fit the modern archetype of a big, shot-making wing with solid ballhandling ability, the physical gifts to shoot over the top of the defense with a high release point and a 7-foot-4 wingspan, and a creative mindset.
—
Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 19 June 2025
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes (1615) $14 $25 now 44% off
One of the oldest novels (first published in the early 1600s) that’s still widely read, this Spanish classic has got to be the oldest comic novel in existence, and one that provided many archetypes of Western comedy.
—Brian Boone, Vulture, 18 June 2025
On December 27, 1908, Boy Staunton (a literal boy, double-underlining Davies’s interest in archetypes) throws a snowball with a stone concealed in it at his friend Duncan.
—Casey Cep, New Yorker, 6 June 2025
The archetype of the Siren is very symbolized by femininity and feminism, and power and allure.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for archetype
Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 19 June 2025
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes (1615) $14 $25 now 44% off
One of the oldest novels (first published in the early 1600s) that’s still widely read, this Spanish classic has got to be the oldest comic novel in existence, and one that provided many archetypes of Western comedy.
—Brian Boone, Vulture, 18 June 2025
On December 27, 1908, Boy Staunton (a literal boy, double-underlining Davies’s interest in archetypes) throws a snowball with a stone concealed in it at his friend Duncan.
—Casey Cep, New Yorker, 6 June 2025
The archetype of the Siren is very symbolized by femininity and feminism, and power and allure.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for archetype
Recent Examples of Synonyms for archetype
Noun
-
This is, in part, explained by the institutional memory of the competition’s forerunner — the Intercontinental Cup — and the legendary battles of a bygone era.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
-
Another forerunner of today’s scene is Ansedonia, a hillside community of upscale homes near Capalbio that in the 1960s became popular with creative types from the Italian capital.—
Lee Marshall,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Rounding out Nielsen’s Top 10 streaming originals for the week of May 26 were Paramount+’s MobLand, Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Netflix’s Big Mouth, Apple TV+’s Your Friends & Neighbors (making its Top 10 debut), and Disney+’s Andor.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
As Charles Handy explained in The Age of Paradox, modern life forces us to navigate complexities our ancestors never faced, such as the tension between efficiency and humanity or between individual freedom and collective responsibility.—
Shane Enete,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
-
As a pack animal closely aligned with their wolf ancestor, the breed would use these noises to communicate with the rest of the pack and with humans, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
By 2019, his startup team had built a prototype and launched a DTC subscription model, pairing a predictable market with luxury branding.—
Tanya Benedicto Klich,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
-
Seed funding from investors, accelerators, or venture funds helps founders take the first critical steps: building a prototype, hiring that first team member, or testing their idea in the real world.—
Rob Zielonka,
Hartford Courant,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
Cravats were a precursor to the modern necktie, which emerged in the late 19th and early 20th century.—
Kristopher Fraser,
Robb Report,
20 June 2025
-
Real Madrid were among the favorites to win the first-of-its-kind tournament, which is a precursor to next year’s FIFA World Cup.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
The Yacht Venetian sources say the wedding flotilla would consist of three vessels including the Koru, one of the largest sailing boats in the world at 417 feet — which is too large for the canals, so it will be anchored in the Venice lagoon.—
Beth Landman,
HollywoodReporter,
21 June 2025
-
Pollinator pots are small containers designed to provide an easy source of nourishment for pollinators.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Archetype.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archetype. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share