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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of archetype
But, if the show’s canvas has grown broader, the characters themselves have been reduced to mere archetypes.
—
Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025
This archetype also requires restraint—over-inquiry can overwhelm or frustrate others.
—Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2025
Using this lens, John D. Rockefeller, often regarded as the archetype of entrepreneurial success, amassed a fortune equivalent to 1.5% of U.S. GDP at his peak—an extraordinary figure in any era.
—Joel Shulman, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
Leaders who embody the Connector archetype understand that relationships, not transactions, drive long-term success.
—Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for archetype 
Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025
This archetype also requires restraint—over-inquiry can overwhelm or frustrate others.
—Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2025
Using this lens, John D. Rockefeller, often regarded as the archetype of entrepreneurial success, amassed a fortune equivalent to 1.5% of U.S. GDP at his peak—an extraordinary figure in any era.
—Joel Shulman, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
Leaders who embody the Connector archetype understand that relationships, not transactions, drive long-term success.
—Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for archetype
Recent Examples of Synonyms for archetype
Noun
-
Punk and Emo, the forerunners of today’s worm-mollusks, lived on the dark seafloor amid gardens of sponges, nearly 200 million years before the first dinosaurs emerged on land.—
Kate Golembiewski,
New York Times,
8 Jan. 2025
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The company's North American forerunner, Chrysler, has been left for dead repeatedly over the decades, only to emerge with hit products like minivans in the 1980s and the Dodge Ram pickup in the 1990s.—
Joel Mathis,
theweek,
17 Dec. 2024
Noun
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On most stations, Hollywood Squares will temporarily replace repeats of another CBS game show, The Price Is Right whose originals run earlier in the day.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
23 Jan. 2025
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By revisiting this material choice, Vacheron Constantin not only offers a more accessible entry point into the collection but also pays homage to the disruptive spirit of the original.—
Bhanu Chopra,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
An Africa that would leave our ancestors speechless, unable to comprehend the magnitude of our joy and freedom.—
Laurel Dalrymple,
NPR,
18 Jan. 2025
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Franklin’s immediate ancestors grew up in a world where the fear of witchcraft led to tragic consequences.—
Michael Sheldrick,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Darryn Peterson: Modern guard prototype The standout player from Prolific Prep is the 6-foot-5 combo guard who ran the show for the most complete team this weekend.—
Jared Weiss,
The Athletic,
21 Jan. 2025
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SpaceX's Starship prototype was lost during its seventh test flight after experiencing engine issues.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA TODAY,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Starring Andre Braugher, Yaphet Kotto and Melissa Leo, Homicide ran for more than 100 episodes and seven seasons in the 1990s and is considered by many to be a precursor to Simon’s The Wire.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2025
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This track is a precursor to a series of new releases planned for early 2025, signaling a year of growth and exploration for Sanders.—
Ethan Stone,
USA TODAY,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Despite the loss, Washington's journey to this stage provided a source of excitement and pride to their supporters.—
Lydia Mee,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
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Capturing wildlife to sell to exporters can be an important income source for rural communities around the world, especially in Africa.—
Alice Catherine Hughes,
The Conversation,
28 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Archetype.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archetype. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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