1
as in forerunners
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 originals
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
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Recent Examples of archetypes
The men in women’s pictures — especially the husbands — are archetypes.
—
Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024
The costume designer’s research began with a general overview of Dylan’s style, with Phillips pinpointing the archetypes of his wardrobe throughout the 1960s.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2024
Wardrobe archetypes like parkas, windbreakers and field jackets add to the options.
—Sandra Salibian, WWD, 20 Dec. 2024
Adults, via pantomime theater with its madcap themes and nursery archetypes, could receive permission to enter these states as well.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 18 Dec. 2024
Something like Looney Tunes, that works so perfectly, these character archetypes, the style, and everything is like winning the lotto.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Dec. 2024
Again, these archetypes are strictly metaphorical.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
Leaders need to reflect on their childhood archetypes and see how those patterns may have been carried forward into their working style.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
Many of its heroes and villains fall into the same archetypes or roles that Blizzard’s characters have made popular with mainstream players.
—Echo Apsey, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024
Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024
The costume designer’s research began with a general overview of Dylan’s style, with Phillips pinpointing the archetypes of his wardrobe throughout the 1960s.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2024
Wardrobe archetypes like parkas, windbreakers and field jackets add to the options.
—Sandra Salibian, WWD, 20 Dec. 2024
Adults, via pantomime theater with its madcap themes and nursery archetypes, could receive permission to enter these states as well.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 18 Dec. 2024
Something like Looney Tunes, that works so perfectly, these character archetypes, the style, and everything is like winning the lotto.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Dec. 2024
Again, these archetypes are strictly metaphorical.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
Leaders need to reflect on their childhood archetypes and see how those patterns may have been carried forward into their working style.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
Many of its heroes and villains fall into the same archetypes or roles that Blizzard’s characters have made popular with mainstream players.
—Echo Apsey, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for archetypes
Noun
-
This deep dive into her ancestors, reviving them, was inspired by a challenge from another artist.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes,
2 Jan. 2025
-
During the Roman festival of Saturnalia, ancestors of today’s Italians drank and indulged and turned the social order upside down.—
Jennie Rothenberg Gritz,
Smithsonian Magazine,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Known for showcasing working prototypes and cutting-edge technology, CES is also a place for critical announcements from leading brands.—
Prakhar Khanna,
Forbes,
3 Jan. 2025
-
The brand is already working through new prototypes of a third line, one that could fall between the two existing models.—
Tim Newcomb,
Forbes,
1 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Numbers-matching examples in good condition can top $85,000, while concours-quality finds can nudge $150,000 and beyond.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Using my fitness examples again, in the first instance, my actions were irregular, insufficient and not aligned.—
David Deane-Spread,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Archetypes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archetypes. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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