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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of archetypal
So far, this sounds like an archetypal heroic tale—the protagonist denied his rightful place and forced to undertake impossible tasks to win it back.
—
Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
As an archetypal centre-forward, Abraham ranks in the top 17 per cent of strikers from Europe’s top five leagues for touches in the opposition penalty area.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Agnifilo previously worked under archetypal celebrity defense lawyer Ben Brafman, whose clients have included accused Mafia bosses and Michael Jackson, and represented Shkreli and Dominique Strauss-Kahn alongside Brafman before starting his own firm.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 27 Jan. 2026
This water sign embodies the archetypal mother; the protective space, the nurturing force, and these qualities are precisely what dominates now.
—Danijela Pilic, Glamour, 3 Jan. 2026
Director Nadia Hallgren had immense access to Obama, following her across a 34-city book tour and turning the introspective writing into a dynamic reflection of the author as the archetypal modern woman.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Jan. 2026
The My Struggle author has been back in the business of non-autobiographical novels for a few years now, but there’s something familiar, even archetypal, about the narrator of The School of Night, the fourth volume in Knausgaard’s Morning Star sequence.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
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, 23 Dec. 2025
Aspen is the archetypical snow globe of a mountain town.
—Zachary Weiss, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025
Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
As an archetypal centre-forward, Abraham ranks in the top 17 per cent of strikers from Europe’s top five leagues for touches in the opposition penalty area.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Agnifilo previously worked under archetypal celebrity defense lawyer Ben Brafman, whose clients have included accused Mafia bosses and Michael Jackson, and represented Shkreli and Dominique Strauss-Kahn alongside Brafman before starting his own firm.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 27 Jan. 2026
This water sign embodies the archetypal mother; the protective space, the nurturing force, and these qualities are precisely what dominates now.
—Danijela Pilic, Glamour, 3 Jan. 2026
Director Nadia Hallgren had immense access to Obama, following her across a 34-city book tour and turning the introspective writing into a dynamic reflection of the author as the archetypal modern woman.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Jan. 2026
The My Struggle author has been back in the business of non-autobiographical novels for a few years now, but there’s something familiar, even archetypal, about the narrator of The School of Night, the fourth volume in Knausgaard’s Morning Star sequence.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
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, 23 Dec. 2025
Aspen is the archetypical snow globe of a mountain town.
—Zachary Weiss, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for archetypal
Adjective
-
This dreamy dessert recipe blends together the cream cheese flavor of a cheesecake with the airy creaminess of the classic Italian cake.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
-
This is the classic risotto recipe every home cook should know.—
Carla Lalli Music,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
While most missing items are typical things that people travel with like cellphones, backpacks and glasses, Diaz said there have been a number of unique items turned in, including a prosthetic leg, musical instruments, 55-inch-screen TVs and large generators.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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Concerns have focused in particular on the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway off Iran's coast that a fifth of the world's oil sails through on a typical day.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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An exemplary version of bo kho (beef stew) is heady with lemongrass, fish sauce, ginger, five-spice powder and star anise.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The coverage of such occasions in the show has been exemplary, particularly the dressing-room footage that offers fans a peek behind the curtain at just what goes on.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The agency said Tuesday that normal operations continue at the camp.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Most of the shifts and deformations gradually returned to normal by six months after return to Earth.—
Rachael Seidler,
Space.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
From the eastern side, The Garland is a great choice for lodging, with retro-chic decor that’s a nod to the quintessential California culture of the 60s and 70s.—
Kristine Thomason,
Outside,
9 Mar. 2026
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The 88-85 overtime loss to surging Oklahoma in the Longhorns' home finale was quintessential Texas.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Cowboys will be hoping for a turnaround for a defense that was the only unit in the NFL to yield an average 30 or more points per game.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Russia's daily revenue from oil sales during the Iran conflict, which has brought a sharp increase in the price of crude, has been on average 14% higher than in February, according to the nonprofit Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.—
HANNA ARHIROVA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Holocaust may be the paradigmatic genocide.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Will speaking characters into action be a novelty or a mainstay — a paradigmatic way of interacting with screens or just a passing diversion that will turn this deal cringe in short order?—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
All of the Regent’s 167 rooms and suites come standard with entry foyers and separate living areas.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Mar. 2026
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There’s plenty of swinging and rotating action in this more standard amusement park-like creation, although Storer notes that riders won’t experience any actual G-forces.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Archetypal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archetypal. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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