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
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
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
-
One of the greatest movie musicals of all time is born in this intimate backstage play featuring the classic music, songs, and dance of golden-era MGM.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Staff encourage guests to skip novelty drinks in favor of classic Irish flavors.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
If anything, bad dates are exemplary of the chasm that invariably exists between nonfiction and real life, between text and flesh (and, on occasion, between photo and flesh).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Schools recognized as exemplary high achievers both attain academic achievement and also ensure historically underserved student groups are maintaining or increasing academic progress, according to the California Department of Education.—
Lauren Chapman,
Sacbee.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Despite the contrivance, Jewson makes fascinating theater out of this, flipping the archetypal image of the ballerina, and therefore femininity, on its head and rendering it as a kind of weapon, forged by years of putting up with enormous pain, against a world beset by patriarchal violence.—
Lé Baltar,
IndieWire,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Tucked in Connecticut’s southeastern corner, Mystic has all the ingredients of a quintessential New England getaway, no matter the season.—
Morgan Rizzo,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Mar. 2026
-
This is quintessential Myers Park.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Simply put, our definitive guide is not only good for your complexion, but also your wallet.—
Catharine Malzahn,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The full saga was completed and released as a definitive edition in 2024 through Syzygy Publishing, the independent imprint founded by veteran editor, writer and publisher Chris Ryall.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Its keyboard and trackpad are mostly as excellent as those on a MacBook Air, only smaller.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
-
These cabins are located amongst the splendor of the Badlands National Park; expect to wake up surrounded by nature and excellent views.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Don’t worry too much about things being perfect, either.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Ahead, 20 properties to book for your next postcard-perfect getaway.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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 21 Mar. 2026.
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