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
This pointed to suits and sartorial pieces with a little twist, expressed in tweaks in texture or proportion that were just enough to cast a new light on familiar wardrobe archetypes.
—
Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Now escape the generic archetypes of logic and think like a novelist, remembering (or discovering) a specific story of when every person on your list was creative in their own distinct way.
—Angus Fletcher, Big Think, 29 Sep. 2025
Exploring Mexico’s most celebrated ghost stories, Three Mexican Folk Songs, by David Conte, highlight haunting archetypes such as La Bruja and La Llorona.
—Dawn Giangiulio, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2025
The Argyle Sweater An archetype of preppy fall style, argyle sweaters are having a moment once more.
—Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for archetype
Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Now escape the generic archetypes of logic and think like a novelist, remembering (or discovering) a specific story of when every person on your list was creative in their own distinct way.
—Angus Fletcher, Big Think, 29 Sep. 2025
Exploring Mexico’s most celebrated ghost stories, Three Mexican Folk Songs, by David Conte, highlight haunting archetypes such as La Bruja and La Llorona.
—Dawn Giangiulio, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2025
The Argyle Sweater An archetype of preppy fall style, argyle sweaters are having a moment once more.
—Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for archetype
Recent Examples of Synonyms for archetype
Noun
-
Compared to their forerunners in the tsarist era, with their party congresses held abroad, their executive committees, and their active recruitment in imperial Russia’s universities, Soviet dissidents remained a comparatively small and informal conglomeration of activists.—
Benjamin Nathans
September 24,
Literary Hub,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The event turned out to be a forerunner to the UN Earth Summit.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Even some of the originals on the album stem from ‘90s country greats.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Daylilies hybridize easily and letting the seeds fall and germinate may result in new plants that aren’t true to the original.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In 2024, some 75 representatives gathered in Pegli, near Genoa, their ancestors’ home.—
Miquel Ros,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Dogs’ tendency to chase or bark at cats often stems from their natural prey drive, a leftover instinct from their wild ancestors.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Shortly thereafter, Dumas turned Birkin’s dreams of an alternative carryall into reality — gifting her with a Birkin bag prototype and putting the silhouette on the market in 1984.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
3 Oct. 2025
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The content banner will create original material for digital platforms with an eye on developing concepts and prototypes for movies, TV shows, live media, podcasts, e-commerce and more.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Once most of the ticker tape had been cleared from the pitch, and the game finally started, all this seemed to have rattled the Netherlands, who played an unusually physical brand of football, perhaps a precursor to their infamous 2010 final display against Spain.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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With Tagovailoa, however, that off-the-field chemistry has always been a precursor to what happens in between the lines.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Some workers, whose programs have alternative funding sources, continue to be paid on time.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Add PCMag as a preferred source on Google.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Archetype.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archetype. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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