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
The archetype was adult but still trying to get better, now often with the goal of being a better partner or father.
—
Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 30 July 2025
The archetype is Sedna, a dwarf planet with a diameter of 620 miles (1,000 kilometers), whose elliptical orbit takes it within 76 au, but as far as 937 au.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
The curious pun read to critics as a dog whistle for white supremacy, eugenics, and fascism in Trump‘s America — a wink to Sweeney’s correspondence to an Aryan archetype.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2025
When zoomed out, the result is a portrayal not of a collection of similar characters but the total soul of the archetype.
—Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for archetype
Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 30 July 2025
The archetype is Sedna, a dwarf planet with a diameter of 620 miles (1,000 kilometers), whose elliptical orbit takes it within 76 au, but as far as 937 au.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
The curious pun read to critics as a dog whistle for white supremacy, eugenics, and fascism in Trump‘s America — a wink to Sweeney’s correspondence to an Aryan archetype.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2025
When zoomed out, the result is a portrayal not of a collection of similar characters but the total soul of the archetype.
—Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for archetype
Recent Examples of Synonyms for archetype
Noun
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Previously Fefferman was a key player at Radius, the indie-film company co-founded by Tom Quinn that was a forerunner to his highly successful banner Neon.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Aug. 2025
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Lehrer was the forerunner of musical comedians like Weird Al Yankovic, Rachel Bloom, and the Lonely Island.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
28 July 2025
Noun
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One of many smoking guns in an artillery of reasons that doomed the Max original to cancelation long ago, Che was criticized endlessly after Season 2.—
IndieWire Staff,
IndieWire,
16 Aug. 2025
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His mix of covers and originals was strong enough then to land him a spot on American Idol’s Hollywood Week in the show’s 20th season, though he was eliminated before making it in front of the cameras.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Our harsh winters and gorgeous summers reminded our ancestors of home.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
3 Aug. 2025
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The small, rugged truck crossed over into civilian use and is the ancestor of the off-road vehicles and SUVs that patrol suburbs and ferry kids to the frontlines of soccer games.—
Tom Vanden Brook,
USA Today,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
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And the first prototype is a character called Wendy.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Aug. 2025
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This North Haven location is the first physical expression of Edible’s reimagined retail vision, and will serve as the prototype for the brand’s next-generation store concept.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The orientation meeting Monday was a precursor to the launch of The Faithful Accompaniment in Trust and Hope, or FAITH, a pilot program that will have religious leaders and volunteers present at San Diego’s immigration court to offer spiritual support, comfort and prayer to those who need it.—
Alexandra Mendoza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Aug. 2025
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The Florida court contrived a weird and arbitrary compromise, granting new sentencing hearings only to death row prisoners whose sentences were considered final after 2002, when the U.S. court issued a decision that was a precursor to Hurst’s.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 July 2025
Noun
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With the sharp decline in sea stars, the sea urchins that usually serve as a food source rapidly expanded in population.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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The official story told by official sources, the story we’ve been trained to trust, is often a distortion, or a downright fabrication.—
Jesse Hyde,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Archetype.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archetype. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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