PARADIGMATIC Synonyms: 82 Similar and Opposite Words

paradigmatic

adjective

Definition of paradigmatic

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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of paradigmatic The protagonist of a third paradigmatic example of the genre, José Eustacio Rivera’s La vorágine (The Vortex, Colombia, 1924), is not a landowner, but an urban poet swept into the violent world of the Amazonian rubber trade. — Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026 In the most American of stories, the Idaho potato, forming half of the paradigmatic American meal (a burger and fries), only became a paradigm when gold was discovered in Idaho in 1860. — Tamar Adler, Vogue, 3 June 2026 This is perhaps a paradigmatic example of how AI can be useful today. — Konstantin Kakaes, Quanta Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026 Through it all, the 55-year-old former Fed governor exudes a confidence that is the antithesis of Harry Truman's paradigmatic two-handed economist — qualities that seemed to attract the president and might be essential in his effort to reform the staid Federal Reserve. — Steve Liesman,matt Peterson, CNBC, 27 Mar. 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

Ahead of rocking the Pond with its classic hits, the famed norteño band brought its signature sound and activism to NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
No list of books about Renaissance Venice (and its relations with Jews) would be complete without Brian Pullan’s classic study.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of classic

Adjective

Setting the standard for luxury with exemplary service and culinary offerings, all at the heart of Santa Fe’s rich cultural center.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
In 2023, Leslie Van Houten was granted parole and released after holding what many described as an exemplary record for decades behind bars.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of exemplary

Adjective

The clubhouse looks more Soho House than an archetypal northern non-League clubhouse.

— Andy Mitten, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Prada presented the skirt as a vocabulary, demonstrating the infinite possibilities that can emerge from an archetypal garment.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of archetypal

Adjective

Its frothy, pastel hues and single moment of contrived levity (when one dance claims a trumpet solo for a joke about jamming her toe) is one of those quintessential examples of Balanchine’s repertoire showing its age.

— Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Her tan suede look was set off by her burgundy elaphe leather pumps, bringing together two quintessential fall colors in one look.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of quintessential

Adjective

Williams aims to help build a county government that works for everyday people by lowering the cost of living, delivering excellent county services and protecting fundamental rights.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2026
Nikko Remigio’s reputation as a return man isn’t splashy plays, but rather excellent ball security.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of excellent

Adjective

The Perfect Prescription is Spacemen 3’s masterpiece, an imperfect record made by one of the last holistically perfect groups of the 20th century.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
The home office that completes this level offers a perfect spot for working from home.

— James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of perfect

Adjective

On winding roads, its model-specific suspension tuning and focus on weight reduction translate into exceptional body control at speed without becoming brittle or overly rigid in slower, more technical sections.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
That spending is routed carefully, and Gopalkrishnan said the bank is model-agnostic.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of model

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“Paradigmatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paradigmatic. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of paradigmatic

adjective

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