1
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
2
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of archetype
However, the archetype of the hallaca has always remained the same; cornmeal dough wrapped and cooked in banana leaves.
—
Sophia Rey, JSTOR Daily, 28 May 2026
Hardly the archetype of the modern inspirational leader.
—Bill Fischer, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Kumail Nanjiani weaponizes workplace desperation into vibrant tension as rival Toyota salesman Peyton, while Kate Berlant and Colin Jost elevate the surrounding community of neighborly archetypes through charisma alone.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 27 May 2026
The character has also influenced productions outside of mainland China, including the Australian-New Zealand television series The New Legends of Monkey (2018–20) and the American AMC series Into the Badlands (2015–19), whose character Sunny draws on the Monkey King archetype.
—Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for archetype
Sophia Rey, JSTOR Daily, 28 May 2026
Hardly the archetype of the modern inspirational leader.
—Bill Fischer, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Kumail Nanjiani weaponizes workplace desperation into vibrant tension as rival Toyota salesman Peyton, while Kate Berlant and Colin Jost elevate the surrounding community of neighborly archetypes through charisma alone.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 27 May 2026
The character has also influenced productions outside of mainland China, including the Australian-New Zealand television series The New Legends of Monkey (2018–20) and the American AMC series Into the Badlands (2015–19), whose character Sunny draws on the Monkey King archetype.
—Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for archetype
Recent Examples of Synonyms for archetype
Noun
-
The decision to launch Allen’s show in Colbert’s time slot on a Friday was surprising, because none of the current crop of late-night programs airs originals regularly on Fridays, meaning the audience does not regularly tune to them in typical numbers.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
29 May 2026
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Arcade, the management firm formed to represent the Sidemen, earlier this year hired Connor Suckling, a former News UK and LADbible originals executive, as Head of Original Video to lead on IP development and originals.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
In 2007, the Oatley family opened Qualia, their 30-acre flagship property and the forerunner of Australia’s luxury lodges.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
While Bass remains widely viewed as the forerunner, recent polling suggests the race might be tightening heading into the final days before the June 2 primary.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The prototype was integrated with low-loss superconducting windings, a novel brushless starting mechanism, and internal cryogenic cooling that functions while spinning.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
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Inspired by wetland plants like mangroves, 12-year-old Ella Barth and Esme Tsai’s prototype glass funnel uses layers of coffee filter paper, gravel, sand, ion exchange resin, charcoal and cotton, mimicking a natural filtration process to help rid local tap water of its chalky taste.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Our ancestors—the hard-working, long-suffering peasant women who told these stories to each other and passed them down the generations through the oral tradition—knew everything there was to know about adversity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
The contest also encouraged students to think of ways to prevent water pollution, and how our ancestors may have loved to save water.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
The United States plans to allow Iranian assets to be used to support rebuilding in Gulf countries impacted by future Iranian attacks, according to a source familiar with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s thinking.—
Dalia Abdelwahab,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
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The divorce has left Faith heartbroken and feeling caught in the middle, per the source.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Tort claims are typically filed as a precursor to a lawsuit.—
Rose Evans
Updated May 29,
Idaho Statesman,
29 May 2026
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But the true precursor to the UFC Octagon might be the wrestling cage.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Archetype.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archetype. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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