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someone who another person admires and tries to be like
Parents need to be good role models for their children. Athletes should remember that they are role models.
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Recent Examples of role models
Virtue ethics, attributed to Aristotle, focuses on which character traits make one a good person, such as emulating virtuousness embodied by role models.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026
Kids ‘n Kinship provides friendships and positive role models to children and youth ages 5-16 who are in need of an additional supportive relationship with an adult.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 2 May 2026
Dukes, the filings state, started looking up to people in the television and music industry because the male role models in his own life were in and out of jail.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
As Mike and Carol Brady, Robert Reed and Florence Henderson were good role models for their fictional children, both as characters and professional actors.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
Just as Prefontaine, Ryun and Liquori inspired Chapa’s generation, the success of Rupp, Matthew Centrowitz, Cole Hocker and Grant Fisher at the Olympic and World Championship level has provided the role models that young American runners missed during the 20-year slump.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
By 14, his ambition was to become a physician despite no role models and only having seen doctors twice for vaccinations.
—Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026
The women follow in the men's footsteps and their role models are not their mothers.
—Marcy Thompson, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2026
Michael and Susan Dell have had a great impact and are great role models.
—Ray Dalio, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026
Kids ‘n Kinship provides friendships and positive role models to children and youth ages 5-16 who are in need of an additional supportive relationship with an adult.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 2 May 2026
Dukes, the filings state, started looking up to people in the television and music industry because the male role models in his own life were in and out of jail.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
As Mike and Carol Brady, Robert Reed and Florence Henderson were good role models for their fictional children, both as characters and professional actors.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
Just as Prefontaine, Ryun and Liquori inspired Chapa’s generation, the success of Rupp, Matthew Centrowitz, Cole Hocker and Grant Fisher at the Olympic and World Championship level has provided the role models that young American runners missed during the 20-year slump.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
By 14, his ambition was to become a physician despite no role models and only having seen doctors twice for vaccinations.
—Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026
The women follow in the men's footsteps and their role models are not their mothers.
—Marcy Thompson, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2026
Michael and Susan Dell have had a great impact and are great role models.
—Ray Dalio, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for role models
Noun
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As examples go, many clubs in Italy could do worse than follow Sassuolo, particularly at a time when there is so much gloom about the state of the game in the bel paese.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
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Both nations represent the best examples of Western civilization.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2026
Noun
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In a county that includes 88 cities, all of which have overlapping and sometimes conflicting ideas, there have been few avenues for reaching consensus.—
National Correspondent,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
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Those are ideas most Americans — especially people who actually spend time outdoors — can still rally behind.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Noun
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However, the models rely heavily on assumptions about Ganymede’s internal chemistry, and scientists still cannot directly observe the moon’s deep interior.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
10 May 2026
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If properly cared for, newer models last around 20 years.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 May 2026
Noun
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Examples include his pioneering insights on the dispersal of seeds, his anticipation of Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection and his study of the seasonal manifestations of natural phenomena, such as plants’ flowering times and bird migrations.—
Robert M. Thorson,
The Conversation,
8 May 2026
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This entry further defines community radio and then discusses its origins and its manifestations throughout the world.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Role models.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/role%20models. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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