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
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of archetype
In 2022, a 10-year review of the EPPP was published, categorising three ‘archetypes’ of development pathways.
—
Liam Tharme, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025
On the dark side, the fiery archetype of this Mars-y energy can result in aggression, impulse and erratic behavior.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
The designer had fun playing with different archetypes.
—Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 14 Mar. 2025
\In her loneliness and, paradoxically, in her peculiarity, Mickey embodies a recognizable archetype: the righteous female cop protagonist of a prestige crime drama.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for archetype
Liam Tharme, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025
On the dark side, the fiery archetype of this Mars-y energy can result in aggression, impulse and erratic behavior.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
The designer had fun playing with different archetypes.
—Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 14 Mar. 2025
\In her loneliness and, paradoxically, in her peculiarity, Mickey embodies a recognizable archetype: the righteous female cop protagonist of a prestige crime drama.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for archetype
Recent Examples of Synonyms for archetype
Noun
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Yet this brand of Christian Zionism is clearly the forerunner to today’s – and holds sway in Washington.—
Shalom Goldman,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2025
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The title is an apt, if sort of obvious, introduction to Turner, who has been hailed as the forerunner to modern art.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Kevin Williamson, the writer who created the franchise with the 1996 original, is directing the sequel. Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown, the other half of the reboots' Core Four along with Ortega and Barrera, will reprise their roles.—
Benjamin VanHoose,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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That proved challenging because technology had advanced with different machines and methods since manufacturing the original.—
Melinda Newman,
Billboard,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
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During the Pleistocene, our ancestors lived through several different ice ages.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
9 Apr. 2025
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Until recently, the ancestors of insects were thought to be more millipede-like and evolved once invertebrates began to live on land.—
Riley Black,
Smithsonian Magazine,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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As improbable as that sounds for an upright, short-wheelbase 4×4, the EV Bronco prototype is about much more than just straight-line speed and all-electric range.—
Michael Van Runkle,
Robb Report,
2 Apr. 2025
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His most egregious act may have been sharing a video that purported to show a fully functional prototype, whereas the truck actually was rolling down a small hill.—
Dan Primack,
Axios,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In addition, neighborhoods would no longer be required — as a precursor to meters — to test out two-hour and three-hour parking zones enforced by chalking tires instead of meters.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2025
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Directed by Arthur Penn, who brought a bold visual style, frank sexuality and graphic, balletic violence to a Hollywood dominated by optimistic pictures, this countercultural romance served as a precursor to the generational tension and mistrust in authority that was quietly pervading the country.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Legendary is eyeing a 2026 production start, another source adds.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2025
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Constructed from Alexander Graham Bell’s simple tetrahedron cell, the Cygnet model consists of two equilateral paper triangles, connected and illuminated by a hidden light source.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Archetype.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archetype. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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