ARCHETYPICAL Synonyms: 161 Similar and Opposite Words

archetypal

adjective

variants also archetypical

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 archetypal Perhaps because Mansfield died young, at thirty-four, of tuberculosis, her adult and middle-aged characters tend to feel a bit archetypical by comparison. —

Literary Hub, 8 June 2026 In its archetypal form, the seduction plot features a sybaritic aristocrat who attempts to debauch an upstanding daughter of the bourgeoisie. —

Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 In a region known for its rolling landscapes, romantic hill towns, and outstanding cuisine, Val d’Orcia is the archetypal Tuscany. —

Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2026 The Yellow Jacket Lackey is the archetypal late bloomer. —

Teddy Cahill, New York Times, 29 May 2026 Seven artists wer shown including painter Apostolos Georgiou, and sculptor Koula Savvidou, whose hybrid sculptural figures made from plaster, metal, wood, and found materials, tend to read as fragmented, mythic bodies—somewhere between human, animal, and archetypal form. —

Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026 But being able to use the environment in surprising ways matched the surprising depth and detail with which the actors were able to realize characters that could be somewhat archetypal. —

Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 20 May 2026 The Beachcomber Cafe Between Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, and set directly on the sand within Crystal Cove State Park, The Beachcomber remains one of Orange County’s most archetypal dining setups, where waves crash just beyond the patio railing and diners often arrive barefoot from the beach. —

Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 13 May 2026 In Silicon Valley, there are a handful of archetypal leaders, like Steve Jobs as the visionary or Zuckerberg as the engineer. —

Andrew R. Chow, Time, 6 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for archetypal

Adjective

For a classic SoHo pastime, walk the shopping streets of Canal and Broadway– then back down Spring and place your bags back at the hotel.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2026
As classic cars prepare to roll onto the Mother Road and communities across eight states launch centennial celebrations, organizers hope the milestone serves not only as a tribute to history but as a call to preserve what comes next.

— Daily News, Daily News, 9 June 2026