Synonyms of archetypal

archetypal

adjective

variants also archetypical

1

as in classic

constituting, serving as, or worthy of being a pattern to be imitated

St. Peter's basilica in Rome is considered by some art historians to be the archetypal structure in the baroque style

Synonyms & Similar Words

• classic
• exemplary
• quintessential
• paradigmatic
• perfect
• definitive
• excellent
• unique
• superb
• model
• wonderful
• exceptional
• great
• terrific
• prime
• imitable
• ideal
• textbook
• special
• fine
• marvelous
• fantastic
• absolute
• stellar
• flawless
• superlative
• fabulous
• splendid
• nonpareil
• sensational
• first-class
• superior
• first-rate
• dandy
• top
• impeccable
• nifty
• grand
• sterling
• fancy
• high-grade
• par excellence
• choice
• unsurpassed
• capital
• banner
• swell
• wizard
• A1
• groovy
• primo
• keen
• top-notch
• crackerjack
• bang-up
• tip-top
• jim-dandy
• A-OK

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• poor
• bad
• unsatisfactory
• substandard
• typical
• vile
• normal
• wretched
• ordinary
• inadequate
• average
• low-grade
• inferior
• atrocious
• representative
• deficient
• disappointing
• execrable
• second-class
• mediocre
• failed
• second-rate

2

as in typical

having or showing the qualities associated with the members of a particular group or kind

the movie's hero is pretty archetypal, lacking in any distinctive qualities that would distinguish him from countless other masked avengers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• typical
• normal
• average
• standard
• true
• usual
• characteristic
• regular
• representative
• classic
• ordinary
• conventional
• common
• customary
• predictable
• familiar
• commonplace
• everyday
• predominant
• habitual
• workaday
• vintage
• routine
• unremarkable
• expected
• unexceptional
• textbook
• wonted
• preponderant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• atypical
• abnormal
• anomalous
• unusual
• aberrant
• deviant
• uncommon
• special
• distinctive
• unique
• irregular
• extraordinary
• unconventional
• remarkable
• rare
• exceptional
• singular
• unfamiliar
• unexpected
• untypical
• noteworthy
• unpredictable
• unknown
• eccentric
• peculiar
• idiosyncratic
• infrequent
• nontypical
• especial
• nonrepresentative
• strange
• unorthodox
• odd
• curious
• uncustomary
• unwonted
• funny
• outlandish
• bizarre
• erratic
• wild
• outrageous
• unnatural
• fantastic
• weird
• nonconformist
• out-of-the-way
• oddball
• quirky
• offbeat
• wacky
• funky
• screwy
• way-out
• freakish
• kooky
• outré
• far-out
• freak

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of archetypal

The couple’s relationship appears to be an archetypal folie a deux, or madness of two. — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2026

The clubhouse looks more Soho House than an archetypal northern non-League clubhouse. — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Prada presented the skirt as a vocabulary, demonstrating the infinite possibilities that can emerge from an archetypal garment. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

Jones notes that actual letters found on Ball after his arrest, written to sustain the rebellion’s spirit, appeal to archetypal figures of the working land, including ploughmen like the one Garfield plays. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 11 Sep. 2026

The archetypical Jersey Guy, to Fallon, is John Cusack in Say Anything. — Brendan Menapace, SPIN, 9 Sep. 2026

Instead, the company has replaced it with another fall flavor in a clear sign that the archetypal fall flavor of the 2010s is changing with the warming globe. — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026

This certainly looked like an archetypal case of a company’s size leaving consumers worse off—precisely what our antitrust laws are designed to prevent. — James Surowiecki, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026

The Soviet Union was an archetypal fragile superpower, its red star burning bright before its dramatic final implosion. — Ben Bland, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026