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
Everyone is just performing the most-predictable version of their respective character archetypes.
—
ArsTechnica, 27 May 2025
That September, President Nixon approved a plan to develop the new spy satellite, which became the archetype for all that followed.
—William J. Broad, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Caitlyn, Zac, Curtis and Marcel aren’t particularly surprising or complex characters; the latter two, particularly, seem lifted from the big book of teen-drama archetypes.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2025
In its 2025 Work Trend Index, Microsoft introduced a new archetype for the AI era: the Agent Boss: employees who don’t just use AI, but lead it.
—Nirit Cohen, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for archetype
ArsTechnica, 27 May 2025
That September, President Nixon approved a plan to develop the new spy satellite, which became the archetype for all that followed.
—William J. Broad, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Caitlyn, Zac, Curtis and Marcel aren’t particularly surprising or complex characters; the latter two, particularly, seem lifted from the big book of teen-drama archetypes.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2025
In its 2025 Work Trend Index, Microsoft introduced a new archetype for the AI era: the Agent Boss: employees who don’t just use AI, but lead it.
—Nirit Cohen, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for archetype
Recent Examples of Synonyms for archetype
Noun
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Military training was also a non-starter, since the U.S. Army Air Service (a forerunner to the Air Force) did not accept women.—
Victor Luckerson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
13 May 2025
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It has been said that Nomad was the forerunner of all modern station wagons.—
David Krumboltz,
Mercury News,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Like the 1929 original, the A50 Junior is a thing of true beauty, both in the air and on the ground.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
6 June 2025
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The sequel moves away from the pixelated look of the original as the developers have shifted to polygons for a more beautiful world.—
Gieson Cacho,
Mercury News,
6 June 2025
Noun
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While tree-dwelling sloths were out of reach to our ancestors, the large and slow ground animals would have made easy targets.—
Margherita Bassi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
29 May 2025
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The banjo itself was invented by our ancestors to bring us together as a spiritual community, stretching from those long gone, all the way to those who haven’t been born yet.—
Essence,
Essence,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
Taking place in June 2023, American Thunder: NASCAR to Le Mans studies the story of when an American stock car Chevrolet Camaro competed against the futuristic Ferrari and Porsche prototypes in the grueling 24-hour challenge.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 June 2025
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This is a polished-looking prototype but not necessarily a pending commercial product.—
John Burek,
PC Magazine,
28 May 2025
Noun
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Tort claims are typically filed as precursors to a potential lawsuit.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
22 May 2025
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Gleason worked as a senior adviser to the U.S. Digital Service, the precursor to DOGE.—
Melissa Quinn
May 21,
CBS News,
21 May 2025
Noun
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Charlie Davis Season: 46 Placed: 2nd If Q was the hurricane blowing through Survivor 46, Davis was a source of calm geniality at the center, constantly quoting Taylor Swift songs while obscuring his careful, clever gameplay.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Time,
29 May 2025
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Andrew, once second-in-line to the throne, has been a constant source of tabloid fodder.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Archetype.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archetype. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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