variants
also archetypical
1
as in classic
constituting, serving as, or worthy of being a pattern to be imitated
St. Peter's basilica in Rome is considered by some art historians to be the archetypal structure in the baroque style
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in typical
having or showing the qualities associated with the members of a particular group or kind
the movie's hero is pretty archetypal, lacking in any distinctive qualities that would distinguish him from countless other masked avengers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of archetypal
As an archetypal centre-forward, Abraham ranks in the top 17 per cent of strikers from Europe’s top five leagues for touches in the opposition penalty area.
—
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Agnifilo previously worked under archetypal celebrity defense lawyer Ben Brafman, whose clients have included accused Mafia bosses and Michael Jackson, and represented Shkreli and Dominique Strauss-Kahn alongside Brafman before starting his own firm.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 27 Jan. 2026
But her motivation, actions, and payoff are fundamentally different from those of her archetypical brothers and sisters.
—Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
This water sign embodies the archetypal mother; the protective space, the nurturing force, and these qualities are precisely what dominates now.
—Danijela Pilic, Glamour, 3 Jan. 2026
Director Nadia Hallgren had immense access to Obama, following her across a 34-city book tour and turning the introspective writing into a dynamic reflection of the author as the archetypal modern woman.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Jan. 2026
The My Struggle author has been back in the business of non-autobiographical novels for a few years now, but there’s something familiar, even archetypal, about the narrator of The School of Night, the fourth volume in Knausgaard’s Morning Star sequence.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
In a region known for its rolling landscapes, romantic hill towns, and outstanding cuisine, Val d’Orcia is the archetypal Tuscany.
—Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 23 Dec. 2025
Aspen is the archetypical snow globe of a mountain town.
—Zachary Weiss, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Agnifilo previously worked under archetypal celebrity defense lawyer Ben Brafman, whose clients have included accused Mafia bosses and Michael Jackson, and represented Shkreli and Dominique Strauss-Kahn alongside Brafman before starting his own firm.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 27 Jan. 2026
But her motivation, actions, and payoff are fundamentally different from those of her archetypical brothers and sisters.
—Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
This water sign embodies the archetypal mother; the protective space, the nurturing force, and these qualities are precisely what dominates now.
—Danijela Pilic, Glamour, 3 Jan. 2026
Director Nadia Hallgren had immense access to Obama, following her across a 34-city book tour and turning the introspective writing into a dynamic reflection of the author as the archetypal modern woman.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Jan. 2026
The My Struggle author has been back in the business of non-autobiographical novels for a few years now, but there’s something familiar, even archetypal, about the narrator of The School of Night, the fourth volume in Knausgaard’s Morning Star sequence.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
In a region known for its rolling landscapes, romantic hill towns, and outstanding cuisine, Val d’Orcia is the archetypal Tuscany.
—Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 23 Dec. 2025
Aspen is the archetypical snow globe of a mountain town.
—Zachary Weiss, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for archetypal
Adjective
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Founder Dee Elms is known for her ability to blend modern and classic elements in distinctive designs that honor and celebrate the storied architecture of each home.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
10 Feb. 2026
-
In addition, diners can enjoy not only classic margaritas but also cold martinis and other classics.—
Imelda García,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This is not your typical Aladdin’s Cave vintage shop, where rails are stacked on top of each other and garments fill every corner.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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However, the expert warned that focusing on combat performance could push robot development away from typical industrial or service uses, because fighting requires extreme, short bursts of high-impact movement rather than steady, practical operation.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In addition to competitive awards, the DGA presented two special service honors recognizing exemplary contributions to the guild and the industry.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
8 Feb. 2026
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The restaurant also makes an exemplary version of hong mi chang, with sheets of red rice noodle rolled around youtiao that have been filled with shrimp paste.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
At normal pool, anglers will find them at depths of 20-25 feet.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
What the files do seem to confirm, though, is the conspiracy theorist’s view of an elite stratosphere, where normal rules don’t apply, everyone knows each other, and ideological differences are subsumed to self-interested motives.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The ceremony hit on the quintessential northern Italian experience.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Instead, Lick-Wilmerding offers fall flag football, as part of a coalition of six schools in the area that formed a league to provide a safer (and cheaper) alternative to the quintessential American high school sport.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Observations of transits of Venus, which only occur twice per century, on average (most recently in 2012), were humanity’s first indication that Venus possessed — whereas Mercury lacked — a substantial atmosphere.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The average transaction price (ATP) on a new vehicle hit $50,000 for the first time ever last fall, according to Kelley Blue Book.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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This composition would have made ancient tools harder and more durable than standard copper — a significant advantage for a drill bit that needed to bore through resistant materials.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
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Most notable is the addition of an interchangeable dual-lace wrap, which sweeps from the barely there midsole and finishes with a bow atop the standard shoelaces.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Archetypal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archetypal. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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