as in classic
constituting, serving as, or worthy of being a pattern to be imitated
a paradigmatic essay in which the writer presents his point of view clearly and engagingly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 paradigmatic
This is perhaps a paradigmatic example of how AI can be useful today.
—
Konstantin Kakaes, Quanta Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026
Through it all, the 55-year-old former Fed governor exudes a confidence that is the antithesis of Harry Truman's paradigmatic two-handed economist — qualities that seemed to attract the president and might be essential in his effort to reform the staid Federal Reserve.
—Steve Liesman,matt Peterson, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
The Holocaust may be the paradigmatic genocide.
—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
The paradigmatic helicopter parent hovered from a distance and in most cases didn’t follow their child to college.
—Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2025
The 1994 slaughter of 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus in Rwanda became the paradigmatic example, prosecuted at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and recognized by the UN Security Council.
—Faisal Kutty, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Though beloved by many straight men for the wrong reasons, the central character in American Psycho — a movie directed by a woman, written by a woman, and based on a novel written by a gay man — has always been paradigmatic of repressed same-sex desire.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 23 Sep. 2025
Konstantin Kakaes, Quanta Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026
Through it all, the 55-year-old former Fed governor exudes a confidence that is the antithesis of Harry Truman's paradigmatic two-handed economist — qualities that seemed to attract the president and might be essential in his effort to reform the staid Federal Reserve.
—Steve Liesman,matt Peterson, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
The Holocaust may be the paradigmatic genocide.
—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
The paradigmatic helicopter parent hovered from a distance and in most cases didn’t follow their child to college.
—Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2025
The 1994 slaughter of 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus in Rwanda became the paradigmatic example, prosecuted at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and recognized by the UN Security Council.
—Faisal Kutty, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Though beloved by many straight men for the wrong reasons, the central character in American Psycho — a movie directed by a woman, written by a woman, and based on a novel written by a gay man — has always been paradigmatic of repressed same-sex desire.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paradigmatic
Adjective
-
Whatever your summer itinerary, a striped button-down shirt is one of those classic staples that deserves a spot in your closet.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
-
The aesthetic feels classic Four Seasons—comfortable rather than trendy.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Or at least that few face in an exemplary way.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
16 May 2026
-
The Outstanding Series Format Deck Presented by Canva Award recognizes one project in competition with $1,000 toward the creation of an exemplary format deck.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Kelli Reynolds is a script supervisor for Inspiration, the language learning model that has copyrighted not just archetypal characters, but all tropes and plot beats, so that no human can access or create new stories.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Writer Rebekah Peppler and her mother embark on a quintessential train journey from Paris to Istanbul, in the same car that inspired Murder on the Orient Express.—
Rebekah Peppler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 May 2026
-
Ballet flats are the quintessential spring shoe.—
Tatiana Ojea,
Glamour,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
And talks between Washington and Tehran have failed to reach a diplomatic agreement to bring a definitive end to the conflict.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
Deuce gave a definitive answer in Game 4, making the Knicks even more dangerous in the Eastern Conference finals.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
Christopher Sanchez has once again been excellent, and Jacob Misiorowski has often looked unhittable with over 14 strikeouts per nine innings.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
The excellent, nonprofit gallery and incubator known as PlatteForum has moved around a bit over the years, and will reopen in the Art District on Santa Fe starting June 5.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Lewis recruit Jake Matise worked a perfect final 1 1/3 innings to earn the save for Mount Carmel (22-10, 10-4).—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
His big hit improved the club to 21-6 overall and a perfect 11-0 in league play.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Hart, however, made a wonderful senator, a model public servant and an inspiring statesman.—
John T. Shaw,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
ChatOn’s main advantage is multi-model access.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paradigmatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paradigmatic. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
