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
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
Fairy-tale heroines are also remarkably diverse, and offer us many iterations of the archetypal feminine.
—
Literary Hub, 3 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
Instead of contradicting Austen’s depictions, the series adds context and interiority, giving Mary a growth arc that highlights her similarities to the author’s archetypal heroines.
—Judy Berman, Time, 6 May 2026
Literary Hub, 3 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
Instead of contradicting Austen’s depictions, the series adds context and interiority, giving Mary a growth arc that highlights her similarities to the author’s archetypal heroines.
—Judy Berman, Time, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for archetypal
Adjective
-
Smoky paperbark-roasted fish is served with sugarloaf, potatoes and kelp, a theatrical fresh take on a classic campfire supper, while the prawn sandwich is a wonderful interpretation of the Aussie favorite, made with brioche and avocado.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
The committee had previously committed to providing 10,000 bus seats for fans travelling to games at MetLife, but increased its inventory by hiring classic American yellow school buses.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
The piña colada at the beachside bar and grill Coccoloba is a standout, but the real surprise lies in the creative drinks beyond the typical beachside cocktails.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
The lightweight fabric and billowy, tiered silhouette of this dress keep it comfortable on summer days, and the square neckline gives you a little more coverage than a typical slip dress.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian honor and recognizes individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the United States and the world.—
Logan Hall,
CBS News,
23 May 2026
-
The musicianship is just exemplary.—
Liza Lentini,
SPIN,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
My vet rechecked it a week later, and her potassium is now normal, but her phosphorous is too high.—
Dr. John De Jong,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
-
But at the State meet, officials alternated between sticking to the normal race schedule and running the 2 mile early in the meet and the mile later as had been the case in 1974 at the State meet in Bakersfield.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
This is quintessential Alberta—a place where Indigenous traditions breathe life into the land, where artistry ignites the soul, and where prehistoric treasures foster unwavering connections.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
For a quintessential Barbados experience, Oistins Friday Night Fish Fry is essential.—
Martie Bowser,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
Robert Reich of the University of California, Berkeley, wrote recently that average Americans pay a 14% tax rate, but billionaires pay less than 2%.—
Stephen Moore,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
-
The Marshalls, who now own an architectural firm called Back Forty Buildings that services hundreds of families across the country with barndominium or rural home plans, estimate that the average person makes about 40,000 decisions in planning and building a home.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
In the most American of stories, the Idaho potato, forming half of the paradigmatic American meal (a burger and fries), only became a paradigm when gold was discovered in Idaho in 1860.—
Tamar Adler,
Vogue,
3 June 2026
-
This is perhaps a paradigmatic example of how AI can be useful today.—
Konstantin Kakaes,
Quanta Magazine,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In a matter of months, unmanned vehicles have gone from rare frontline curiosities to standard issue.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
What sets a skillcation apart from a standard tour is the depth of the experience.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Archetypal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archetypal. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
