as in classic
constituting, serving as, or worthy of being a pattern to be imitated
a paradigmatic essay in which the writer presents his point of view clearly and engagingly
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Recent Examples of paradigmatic
Through it all, the 55-year-old former Fed governor exudes a confidence that is the antithesis of Harry Truman's paradigmatic two-handed economist — qualities that seemed to attract the president and might be essential in his effort to reform the staid Federal Reserve.
—
Steve Liesman,matt Peterson, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
The Holocaust may be the paradigmatic genocide.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Will speaking characters into action be a novelty or a mainstay — a paradigmatic way of interacting with screens or just a passing diversion that will turn this deal cringe in short order?
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 12 Dec. 2025
The paradigmatic helicopter parent hovered from a distance and in most cases didn’t follow their child to college.
—Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2025
The 1994 slaughter of 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus in Rwanda became the paradigmatic example, prosecuted at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and recognized by the UN Security Council.
—Faisal Kutty, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Though beloved by many straight men for the wrong reasons, the central character in American Psycho — a movie directed by a woman, written by a woman, and based on a novel written by a gay man — has always been paradigmatic of repressed same-sex desire.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 23 Sep. 2025
Steve Liesman,matt Peterson, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
The Holocaust may be the paradigmatic genocide.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Will speaking characters into action be a novelty or a mainstay — a paradigmatic way of interacting with screens or just a passing diversion that will turn this deal cringe in short order?
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 12 Dec. 2025
The paradigmatic helicopter parent hovered from a distance and in most cases didn’t follow their child to college.
—Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2025
The 1994 slaughter of 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus in Rwanda became the paradigmatic example, prosecuted at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and recognized by the UN Security Council.
—Faisal Kutty, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Though beloved by many straight men for the wrong reasons, the central character in American Psycho — a movie directed by a woman, written by a woman, and based on a novel written by a gay man — has always been paradigmatic of repressed same-sex desire.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paradigmatic
Adjective
-
The Grammy-winning musician made her Broadway debut as Zidler in the classic musical on March 24.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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The hotel recently completed a thoughtful refresh by design studio FBEYE International, and the result is a property that feels classic and contemporary.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Luplow, 36, is one of four winners of the inaugural FECK Awards, a national program created by Chaz Ebert to recognize people who show exemplary forgiveness, empathy, compassion and kindness, or FECK.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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Bakri is responsible for many soul-shattering moments in Cherien Dabis’s exemplary multigenerational epic All That’s Left of You (now on digital), and the first takes place after an elementary-school lesson.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This archetypal hamburger and shake joint, founded in September 1956, initially had a long counter and about four tables.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
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Shearer and Greaves are considered among the archetypal greatest centre-forwards in the English game, but that accolade now solely belongs to Kane, whose goalscoring achievements in England and Germany are remarkable.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
For many of us, lamb is a quintessential dish for springtime.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Donna, the on-site restaurant, is the city’s quintessential special occasion spot for everything from birthday parties to date nights.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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He then was sent back to the IceHogs, a somewhat surprising move given the Hawks’ need for a definitive shooter outside of Bedard.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
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According to Federal Donuts Founders In addition to recipes, the new Federal Donuts book also includes a definitive guide to donuts across the country.—
David Farley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Apple has somehow emerged from the global hardware shortage as a value buy, with its MacBook Neo offering an excellent modern computing experience for a mere $600.—
Jon Martindale,
PC Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
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Harbor locals should boast that one of the county’s singularly excellent pizzerias is in their backyard.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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On this postcard-perfect corner of Canada’s northeastern province of Newfoundland and Labrador that’s slammed by wind and waves, cod-fishing communities hold on to their distinctive settler history.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
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Anything less than near-perfect means teams are preparing for a potential delay.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Zendaya looked model-esque and confident in the dress while striking poses and laughing in front of the event’s photographers, as captured in videos.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
13 Mar. 2026
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The big difference is model-specific Volcano Grey Metallic trim in the front and back.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paradigmatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paradigmatic. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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