as in models
someone of such unequaled perfection as to deserve imitation
in Arthurian legend, Sir Galahad is depicted as the one knight who is a paragon of virtue
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Recent Examples of paragons
Kathleen Hanna fronted punk greats Bikini Kill and Le Tigre, two bands that existed at different times in the evolving (but still sexist) conversation about women and their place in culture, with the musicians often serving as paragons of feminist critique and anguish.
—
Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
For instance, there is no reason to fear that Canadian, German, or Japanese nuclear weapons would end up in the hands of rogue states or terrorist organizations; all three are paragons of responsibility, state capacity, and domestic stability.
—Moritz S. Graefrath, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2025
What are these paragons of stereotypical gendered behavior to do but exorcise a demon, and embrace an opportunity for personal growth in the process?
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
For instance, there is no reason to fear that Canadian, German, or Japanese nuclear weapons would end up in the hands of rogue states or terrorist organizations; all three are paragons of responsibility, state capacity, and domestic stability.
—Moritz S. Graefrath, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2025
What are these paragons of stereotypical gendered behavior to do but exorcise a demon, and embrace an opportunity for personal growth in the process?
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paragons
Noun
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As models have grown more complex, some hallucinate with more persuasive fabrications.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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Otherwise, the MorphoScan’s measurements for BMI, body water, subcutaneous fat, and visceral fat matched the other two models.—
Andrew Gebhart,
PC Magazine,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The upside could be enormous as the genre has produced a slew of stars; recent examples include Millie Bobbie Brown, Joseph Quinn and Sadie Sink of Stranger Things and Aimee Lou Wood, Emma Mackey and Ncuti Gatwa of Sex Education.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2026
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Koenigsegg still plans to build just 300 examples, all of which have already been spoken for.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Consider enrolling in a class or talking about philosophical ideas with your peers, because such bold curiosity presently translates into mental growth.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
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If the figures of Rosie the Riveter, Lillian Gilbreth, and Jane Fonda helped to establish ideas of twentieth-century smartness, then PAT, a glitchy computerized mother figure, carries us into the present.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Some of the tracks seem designed to remind listeners of his older, less incendiary incarnations.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Future incarnations will be in the form of seasonal specials, Markle said last year, and her spokesperson told Variety.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Money meets group ideals as the Moon moves through your 2nd House of Resources and squares wise Jupiter in your 11th House of Friendship.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
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Despite Guillotin’s ideals, executions were messy and sometimes shambolic affairs, swarmed by bloodthirsty crowds and heckling tricoteuses.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paragons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paragons. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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