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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of archetype
Characters often appear as archetypes, their more specific qualities veiled, while their gestures and turns of phrase are obsessively analyzed for signs of insincerity.
—
Lidija Haas, Harper's Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025
Along the way, he’s also played with some of Moschino’s sacred archetypes: The famous tubino dress, for example, an elegant sheath that Franco used as a billboard for provocative ideas.
—Chiara Barzini, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2025
Horror films primed on increasingly gory demises have always trafficked in archetypes.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 22 Feb. 2025
There are more archetypes, talent selections and other choices that expand customization options.
—Rob Wieland, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for archetype
Lidija Haas, Harper's Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025
Along the way, he’s also played with some of Moschino’s sacred archetypes: The famous tubino dress, for example, an elegant sheath that Franco used as a billboard for provocative ideas.
—Chiara Barzini, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2025
Horror films primed on increasingly gory demises have always trafficked in archetypes.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 22 Feb. 2025
There are more archetypes, talent selections and other choices that expand customization options.
—Rob Wieland, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for archetype
Recent Examples of Synonyms for archetype
Noun
-
The notable feature of this particular death factory was its use of gas vans, a forerunner to the larger, more impersonal gas chambers built at Auschwitz-Birkenau, Belzec, Sobibor, and Treblinka.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
-
In 1914, Frank Newman opened the Royal Theatre which was a forerunner to movie palaces in the city, a significant departure from nickelodeons.—
Michael Wells,
Kansas City Star,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
On the streaming originals chart, 1923 hit a new weekly viewership high with the debut of Season 2, racking up 676M minutes viewed.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2025
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Stewart famously played Charles Xavier/Professor X and McKellan took on Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto across the X-Men franchise, which launched with the 2000 original.—
Sharareh Drury,
People.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The auntie’s going to always be there for her niece as an ancestor.—
Fox Maxy,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2025
-
The ephemerides were the ancestors of astronomical tables, which still exist.—
James Byrne,
The Conversation,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The program has been underway for a decade, and a prototype designed by the Air Force first flew in 2020, breaking records in the process (although what records and by how much was not disclosed).—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
21 Mar. 2025
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There is no denying Flagg is the prototype for the current NBA star – a big man's height with the skills to score, pass and defend anyone on the court.—
Scott Thompson,
Fox News,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Such certificates are often pursued after a conviction has been vacated and as a precursor to a lawsuit.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2025
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For example, tryptophan is precursor to serotonin, the body’s feel-good chemical.—
Fiona Embleton,
Glamour,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The 22-year-old also went to the beach with investigators and his lawyers, the source said.—
Aicha El Hammar Castano,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2025
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The source added that the duo were accompanied by director Doug Liman, but the specifics of the project are still under wraps.—
Vivian Kwarm,
New York Daily News,
17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Archetype.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archetype. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
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