archetypal

adjective

variants also archetypical
Definition of archetypalnext
1
as in classic
constituting, serving as, or worthy of being a pattern to be imitated St. Peter's basilica in Rome is considered by some art historians to be the archetypal structure in the baroque style

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in typical
having or showing the qualities associated with the members of a particular group or kind the movie's hero is pretty archetypal, lacking in any distinctive qualities that would distinguish him from countless other masked avengers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for archetypal
  1. classic
  2. typical
  3. quintessential
  4. average
  5. standard
  6. definitive
  7. normal
  8. exemplary
Adjective
  • This isn’t a reimagining on the level of Leigh Whannell’s previous foray into the classic horror vaults, The Invisible Man.
    David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Chris and Hana offer Mara two approaches, one focused on classic freezer meals like lasagnas, and one focused on soups like Mara’s favorite comfort food, avgolemono.
    Bon Appétit, Bon Appétit, 15 Jan. 2025
Definition of classic
Adjective
  • The remotes support three speed levels: Cine for slower shots, Normal for typical use, and Sport for high-speed performance.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 14 Jan. 2025
  • The typical physician earns $225,000 a year, the second-highest salary of the bunch.
    Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2025
Definition of typical
Adjective
  • The quintessential one is Verbier, also known as the Four Vallées.
    Lea Lane, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
  • As the two women conjure new and increasingly outrageous plans to get $1,500 by the end of the day, and to help Dreux ace her interview for a job promotion, their story morphs into a quintessential American tale of surviving under capitalism.
    Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Jan. 2025
Definition of quintessential
Adjective
  • The planet’s record-high average temperature last year reflected the weekslong, 104-degree-Fahrenheit spring heat waves that shuttered schools in Bangladesh and India.
    Raymond Zhong, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
  • To the average person, appreciating the elements that crowned Super Mario 64 a groundbreaking game back in 1996 requires at least some wandering around its world.
    Patricia Hernandez, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2025
Definition of average
Adjective
  • No specialized charging infrastructure is required, as the battery can be recharged overnight using standard 110 V outlets.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 15 Jan. 2025
  • The standard deduction: The 2017 tax overhaul nearly doubled the standard deduction.
    Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 15 Jan. 2025
Definition of standard
Adjective
  • Jerry said nothing definitive about his head coach returning, but this potential extension of the relationship will come down to the specifics.
    Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Jan. 2025
  • For almost a century prior to that, sites around downtown Chicago, the University of Chicago and Midway International Airport were used to gather definitive weather data.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2025
Definition of definitive
Adjective
  • The director had a charmed and normal childhood, by all accounts; he was born in Montana but moved all over the country as a kid, living in Washington, North Carolina, Idaho, and Virginia at various points.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Having something so violent rip you from your normal can leave a person feeling lost, even violated.
    Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • Offensively, several players have soared in Butler’s absence: ▪ Herro, who has been exemplary all season, has scored 26, 14, 23 and 32 in the four games on this road trip, with 18 three-pointers and 17 assists.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2025
  • In March 2023, Seven Talents sued Neugebauer alleging fraud on the $11 MM of startup capital plus breaches of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, exemplary damages and self-dealing to run the business into the ground and steal the assets.
    Ann Rutledge, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Definition of exemplary
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near archetypal

arches

archetypal

archetype

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Cite this Entry

“Archetypal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archetypal. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of archetypal for Spanish Speakers

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