1
as in forerunners
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 originals
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 archetypes
This is where the grifter archetypes tend to differ most.
—
Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
The siblings, in other words, fit different Hollywood archetypes.
—Reeves Wiedeman, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
But there's something a bit anticlimactic about ending it in that basement, as if the characters never had lives outside the archetypes the show made for them, cribbed from a role-playing game.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
This genre fluidity allows the spiritual to heighten the narrative, dealing with archetypes like the supernaturally gifted musician.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 18 Dec. 2025
Creator Mike Makowsky shapes the source material, Candice Millard’s nonfiction book Destiny of the Republic, into a collection of quintessentially American archetypes.
—Judy Berman, Time, 28 Nov. 2025
While the technical execution and immersive visuals of the Upside Down have never been more impressive, and the pop culture references as fun as ever, Herman argued that the show continues to rely on familiar archetypes and recycled plot structures rather than offering deeper character development.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
After all, Perfidia explodes other archetypes, too—for instance, abdicating her roles as a mother and romantic partner to continue her work.
—Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2025
Under Mikel Arteta, they have been held up as the archetypes of this anti-style; the best set-piece team in the league, with its stingiest defence.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
The siblings, in other words, fit different Hollywood archetypes.
—Reeves Wiedeman, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
But there's something a bit anticlimactic about ending it in that basement, as if the characters never had lives outside the archetypes the show made for them, cribbed from a role-playing game.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
This genre fluidity allows the spiritual to heighten the narrative, dealing with archetypes like the supernaturally gifted musician.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 18 Dec. 2025
Creator Mike Makowsky shapes the source material, Candice Millard’s nonfiction book Destiny of the Republic, into a collection of quintessentially American archetypes.
—Judy Berman, Time, 28 Nov. 2025
While the technical execution and immersive visuals of the Upside Down have never been more impressive, and the pop culture references as fun as ever, Herman argued that the show continues to rely on familiar archetypes and recycled plot structures rather than offering deeper character development.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
After all, Perfidia explodes other archetypes, too—for instance, abdicating her roles as a mother and romantic partner to continue her work.
—Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2025
Under Mikel Arteta, they have been held up as the archetypes of this anti-style; the best set-piece team in the league, with its stingiest defence.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for archetypes
Noun
-
Like these forerunners, the pleasures of Knight’s A Thousand Blows, which premiered all six episodes of its second season on Hulu Friday, lies in looking back on that thin sliver of time, about 15 years ago, when anachronistic old-timey crime was in vogue.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The primacy of a central meeting space can be traced to the Greek Empire with the agora, among other forerunners.—
Jeanne Bonner,
CNN Money,
19 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
As part of Netflix’s ongoing round of international slate announcements, the streamer unveiled a batch of new originals and updates on several others.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
-
One of approximately 40 examples of the FXX K Evo built from 2017 to 2019, this single-owner car is one of only about 10 factory-originals, as opposed to a conversion from an earlier FXX spec car.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Event highlights include a Children’s Legacy Parade, where kids dress in their ancestors’ pioneer-era clothing of 1847 and march around the Old Town Plaza, honoring their ancestors courage and service.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Staying on-site also puts guests inside a 19th-century estate tied to the Leacock family, British ancestors of the current owners, who helped pioneer Madeira wine’s trade with England and remained among the island’s major producers until 1925.—
Lauren Mowery,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There, he was tasked with designing prototypes for fast-food franchises, including Jack in the Box and Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The Micro Honey Harvester was the result of six years of experimenting with prototypes along with feedback from beekeepers worldwide who vented about the frustrations of honey production being laborious, messy and stressful for both beekeepers and the bees.—
Shirl Leigh
January 20,
New Atlas,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Something that this new reality is forcing all of us to contemplate is whether or not any of the Oscar precursors — the award shows that precede the Oscars, and often claim to predict them — still provide any real sense of where the Academy is headed.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Polish police released footage of the operation showing dozens of drums and tanks containing the precursors stored in various warehouses, as well as processing labs raided by heavily armed investigators.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
NurPhoto via Getty Images FC Barcelona has made a decision on Gavi’s return from injury amid his teammate and close friend Pedri being ruled out for a month according to SPORT, which cited anonymous sources.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Charge your devices, arrange alternate heating or power sources, gather your candles and flashlights.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Poland’s President Nawrocki reeled off examples of Polish, Finnish, Japanese and even Afghan victories against Russia as evidence.—
Clare Sebastian,
CNN Money,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Upsides and downsides of using AI personas to simulate the psychoanalytic acumen of Sigmund Freud, see my examples at the link here.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Archetypes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archetypes. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
