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
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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
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Recent Examples of archetypes
The figure of the idol is distinct from other pop archetypes like the rock star and the diva.
—
Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
These archetypes have existed since the beginning of time.
—Lucy Handley, Big Think, 20 Mar. 2026
Whether in a comedy, with slapstick archetypes, or in a serious Shakespearean tragedy, communicating subtle threats through unique gestures, gait, and facial expressions, or in a modern experimental piece, Dominic excels.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Your Lorenz Hart also toys with archetypes of gayness.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026
Payton often points back to Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem from his years in New Orleans as sort of the archetypes.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
Founder Giorgia Gabriele’s elevated take on fashion archetypes, top-notch fabrications and precise execution make such an exercise child’s play.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
Psychological concepts for personal growth focus on card patterns, symbols, and archetypes.
—Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
More specifically, scorers were asked to look for ways in which nominees reject traditional male archetypes of business leadership and lead with their own authentic, unique strengths.
—David Spiegel, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2026
Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
These archetypes have existed since the beginning of time.
—Lucy Handley, Big Think, 20 Mar. 2026
Whether in a comedy, with slapstick archetypes, or in a serious Shakespearean tragedy, communicating subtle threats through unique gestures, gait, and facial expressions, or in a modern experimental piece, Dominic excels.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Your Lorenz Hart also toys with archetypes of gayness.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026
Payton often points back to Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem from his years in New Orleans as sort of the archetypes.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
Founder Giorgia Gabriele’s elevated take on fashion archetypes, top-notch fabrications and precise execution make such an exercise child’s play.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
Psychological concepts for personal growth focus on card patterns, symbols, and archetypes.
—Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
More specifically, scorers were asked to look for ways in which nominees reject traditional male archetypes of business leadership and lead with their own authentic, unique strengths.
—David Spiegel, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for archetypes
Noun
-
These were the forerunners of today’s robots.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
-
And these projects may just be the forerunners.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
These three designs have served as templates for countless brands and designers over the past 100 years, who have either reinterpreted them or sought to recreate the originals.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
23 Mar. 2026
-
With the Ion broadcast network holding rights to WNBA and NWSL games, along with various other live sports on Ion and other networks, the company wanted to create a 24/7 home for live events, originals, documentaries and other sports programming.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Claire meets Frank’s ancestors.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
-
People whose ancestors ate a lot of endosperm have extra copies of the genes that make starch‑digesting enzymes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Despite their capabilities, the prototypes remain lightweight and portable.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Furze loved the idea, got to work, and, after at least seven or eight prototypes, landed on a board that not only levitates but steers and rides just like a conventional longboard.—
Omar Kardoudi
March 22,
New Atlas,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Such engravings, which depict the wackily maximalist style à la mode, including oodles of feathers and furbelows, were, in essence, early precursors to modern fashion magazines.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Fixing Li-ion battery limits The method works under ambient conditions and relies on simple precursors.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Fatalities data, the group says, is based on a range of sources, including sources among medical workers, publicly available images and official statements.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The attack consisted of Iranian missiles and drones, sources told CBS News.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Bourbaki prioritized abstraction over all else, eschewing concrete examples and calculations in favor of only the most general statements.—
Leila Sloman,
Quanta Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
-
So many things are collage, including in movies—Sergei Eisenstein and Luis Buñuel are two classic examples of montage.—
Laura Brown,
Artforum,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Archetypes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archetypes. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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