1
as in forerunner
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
the abacus is sometimes cited as the archetype of the modern digital calculator
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in original
something from which copies are made
Beowulf is considered by some scholars to be the archetype for medieval British heroic tales
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 archetype
The other operatives feel representative of classic archetypes of spy and heist movies, but with a Star Trek twist.
—
Nick Romano, EW.com, 17 Jan. 2025
Monica, a doctor, filled the bad-girl archetype on the show, and Charleson loved playing her.
—Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025
Such archetypes have also inadvertently appeared on the runways of luxury brands such as Chanel and Miu Miu.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025
There are strong hints in the six episodes sent to critics that the archetypes and commentary have become, if not stale, very comfortably entrenched.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for archetype
Nick Romano, EW.com, 17 Jan. 2025
Monica, a doctor, filled the bad-girl archetype on the show, and Charleson loved playing her.
—Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025
Such archetypes have also inadvertently appeared on the runways of luxury brands such as Chanel and Miu Miu.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025
There are strong hints in the six episodes sent to critics that the archetypes and commentary have become, if not stale, very comfortably entrenched.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for archetype
Recent Examples of Synonyms for archetype
Noun
-
Equally, it was never considered by bid organizers to be a forerunner in bids to host the 2022 and 2026 men’s World Cup, the latter of which was successful and will be shared next year with Canada and Mexico.—
Adam Crafton,
The Athletic,
6 Feb. 2025
-
While Cal State Fullerton isn’t the first campus to launch a Project Rebound program, the university has been among the forerunners in its expansion, becoming a model for Project Rebound programs at the other universities in the CSU system.—
Lou Ponsi,
Orange County Register,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The streaming service is the home to hit originals, such as Only Murders in the Building, The Bear, Paradise, Under the Bridge, Shogun and much more.—
Rudie Obias,
The Hollywood Reporter,
18 Feb. 2025
-
The delicate gold chains holding Johnson’s Gucci dress together recalled another sensual and daring red carpet look: the safety pin dress, which through the years, has been worn by Anne Hathaway, Miley Cyrus, Kristen Stewart, and of course the vivacious original, Elizabeth Hurley in Versace.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Then the fire last month destroyed nearly everything inside the house: the handwritten letters from Ms. Edmiston’s father, who was once the mayor of Beverly Hills; a tin menorah that her ancestors brought from Russia and Poland; and, of course, nearly all the cookie jars.—
Corina Knoll,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2025
-
In an exclusive clip from the next episode of PBS genealogy series Finding Your Roots, below, host Henry Louis Gates Jr. tells Lynskey the news about her ancestor, and gets a surprising reaction from the Yellowjackets star in return.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Several trials later, her first bioplastic prototypes were born.—
Carly Kay,
The Mercury News,
24 Feb. 2025
-
But things changed after Kate Moss was seen with a rare prototype, and Le Dix Motorcycle Lariat, eventually known as Le City bag, came out in 2001.—
Kin Woo,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Since the inception of the SAG Awards in 1994, only six actors have won the Oscar with SAG as their sole major precursor — and none of them were in lead actor.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Such a filing is typically a precursor to a lawsuit.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC News,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Our fact-check sources Matt Reagan, Feb. 20, Phone interview with USA TODAY Thank you for supporting our journalism.—
Kate S. Petersen,
USA TODAY,
22 Feb. 2025
-
For him, the border is vivid and meaningful on its own terms, a source to be mined not for financial or political gain, but for cultural and social inspiration.—
David L. Ulin,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to archetype
Cite this Entry
“Archetype.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archetype. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share