PROTOTYPE Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

prototype

noun

ˈprō-tə-ˌtīp

Definition of prototype

as in example

one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like a literary character who is regarded as the prototype of the fanatical and intolerant pursuer of justice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in forerunner

something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed the Greek epic that is the prototype of the hero myth

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in original

something from which copies are made the manufacturer exhaustively tested the prototype of the vehicle before approving production

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 prototype The announcement did not identify which radar sites would receive the initial prototypes or provide a schedule for completing the work. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026 According to Musk & Co, the prototype Roadster can already hit a top speed of 230 mph (370 km/h), but the team is targeting 383 mph (616 km/h). — New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026 Alla has worked under three successive creative directors at Celine, and is now one of 50 people making runway prototypes and custom VIP orders for Michael Rider and his design team. — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 The Tesla prototype leaped over a series of cars in a demonstration. — Chris Perez, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prototype

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prototype

Noun

Both examples demonstrate how local champions and an existing source of funding can help turn a lifesaving idea into reality.

— Meng Yang, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
As usual, most of the homes are located in North America, but our roundup also includes examples from Europe and Australia.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of example

Noun

Rather than try to replicate his forerunners’ styles of success, Ternus has so far played to his own strengths—which are also those of Apple, a company that first and foremost builds beautiful products that spark productivity, creativity, and joy.

— Andrew R. Chow, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Dubbed the ‘American Turtle’ for its appearance, the submarine made three attempts to blow up British ships without success, but is considered the forerunner of modern submarines.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of forerunner

Noun

Another 24 new releases are lined up for the rest of the year; most of them originals (20) followed by new seasons (3) and a saga.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
According to the brand, the casks are rotated while aging to encourage interaction between liquid and wood, and like the original the gin spent 71 nights maturing.

— Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of original

Noun

But a few times in recent years, Hollins, a veterinarian, tricked Jonathan and slid a cotton swab into the giant tortoise's mouth to get a saliva sample.

— KYLE MELNICK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Much of that comes down to, again, the randomness that's part of small sample sizes.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of sample

Noun

Then there’s the new electric Jaguar, a machine that inflamed the Internet and became the subject of global controversy when its conceptual precursor was revealed in late 2024.

— Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026
Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days (also known as October Prime Day) is here, serving as a precursor to Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

— Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of precursor

Noun

Not wanting a didactic feel, Ebenstein eschewed labels for the art, artifacts, masks, toys, skeletal and wet specimens, wax scientific models, devotional objects, vintage taxidermy and books.

— Dina Cheney, Washington Post, 17 Oct. 2026
Following his death in 1924, the Natural History Museum acquired more than 1,000 specimens from his collection, including the skull fragment.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of specimen

Noun

The changes would have affected the environments in which life developed and evolved, from the age of the dinosaurs through to some of our oldest primate ancestors.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2026
In his view, Flagg Mountain’s fire-scarred stumps corroborate what his community already knew—that their ancestors used fire for centuries—and reinforce their sense of responsibility to care for the land.

— M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of ancestor

Noun

Further instances of moderate flooding are likely during Monday’s high tides and a similar rhythm of issues will continue through at least midweek.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
But beyond that particular case, the suit says, the agents and analysts had a diversity of career experience, including expertise in the counterintelligence threat from Iran and instances of helping recover American hostages held abroad.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of instance

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protocols

prototype

prototypes

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Style

“Prototype.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prototype. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of prototype

noun

Example Sentences

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