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
Because of this, party members who aren’t Majima and Noah struggle to endear themselves beyond existing as cardboard cutouts of basic character archetypes.
—
Isaiah Colbert, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2025
The first two episodes concretely define the claustrophobic space and allow the two women to settle firmly into their archetypes.
—Holly Jones, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025
The tension between sharp contemporary verisimilitude and age-old romantic archetype helps explain why Bridget potters on while so many other ’90s heroines have fallen by the wayside.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025
By learning to harness the tools of this century, a cadre of charismatic figures revived the archetypes of the previous one: the strong leader, the great nation, the proud civilization.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for archetype
Isaiah Colbert, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2025
The first two episodes concretely define the claustrophobic space and allow the two women to settle firmly into their archetypes.
—Holly Jones, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025
The tension between sharp contemporary verisimilitude and age-old romantic archetype helps explain why Bridget potters on while so many other ’90s heroines have fallen by the wayside.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025
By learning to harness the tools of this century, a cadre of charismatic figures revived the archetypes of the previous one: the strong leader, the great nation, the proud civilization.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for archetype
Recent Examples of Synonyms for archetype
Noun
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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
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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
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With a sequel on the way, now's the perfect time to introduce your kids to the original for April Fool’s Day!—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
12 Mar. 2025
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Now the original gets an update with the launch of the Long Rack.—
Paul Ridden,
New Atlas,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The ephemerides were the ancestors of astronomical tables, which still exist.—
James Byrne,
The Conversation,
17 Mar. 2025
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The auntie’s going to always be there for her niece as an ancestor.—
Fox Maxy,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Californian EV startup Telo just revealed a functional prototype of its MT1 mini-truck at an in-person event in Los Angeles.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Mar. 2025
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Agencies including the Treasury Department, the Department of Commerce and even HUD have been involved in a study, a prototype and a working group in recent years.—
Jesse Coburn,
ProPublica,
7 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
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During the 1989 Tiananmen pro-democracy protests, its Chinese-language radio broadcasts became a critical source of uncensored information for the Chinese people.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN,
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
Articles Related to archetype
Cite this Entry
“Archetype.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archetype. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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