1
as in examples
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
2
as in forerunners
something belonging to an earlier time from which something else was later developed
the Greek epic that is the prototype of the hero myth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in originals
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
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Recent Examples of prototypes
Building the drone 3D printing enabled the father-son duo to rapidly build prototypes and switch things up when needed.
—
New Atlas, 15 Jan. 2026
As prototypes stabilized, the team switched to solar panels and kept fine-tuning.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 13 Jan. 2026
Therefore, seeing multiple green aircraft together strongly suggests serial (repeat) production, not one-off prototypes.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
Robotics startups typically prefer to show off their research prototypes in videos on social media, offering them the opportunity to show the machines at their best and edit out their failings.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2026
Though Waymo has never operated commercially in Michigan, the tech company has had a presence in the state since 2016 after establishing an engineering facility in Novi that builds prototypes.
—Jackie Charniga, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Known for showcasing working prototypes and cutting-edge technology, CES is also a place for critical announcements from leading brands.
—Prakhar Khanna, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
Early prototypes were rudimentary, cobbled together from LEGO components.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 27 Dec. 2024
To ensure that Charlotte’s harness was comfortable enough and would not cause irritation, the team tested multiple prototypes of the belt and settled on one that was light, adjustable, flexible and hugged the edges of his shell.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prototypes
Noun
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Key Takeaways Running, cycling, HIIT, and jumping rope are all examples of cardio exercise proven to improve cholesterol profiles.—
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Strangely some of the most famous examples are of accountants and insurance salesman.—
Noun
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Like these forerunners, the pleasures of Knight’s A Thousand Blows, which premiered all six episodes of its second season on Hulu Friday, lies in looking back on that thin sliver of time, about 15 years ago, when anachronistic old-timey crime was in vogue.—
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The primacy of a central meeting space can be traced to the Greek Empire with the agora, among other forerunners.—
Noun
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Meanwhile, Mayor of Kingstown, which — like most Sheridan series — is expensive to make, has not broken into Nielsen’s originals Top 10 with its fourth season having done so with previous installments.—
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Labubus have become a hot commodity since then, as consumers worldwide fight to nab originals for themselves.—
Noun
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In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been analyzing the entire genetic code of virus samples to determine if the outbreaks are related, a newer technique that has not traditionally been used to assess measles transmission.—
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The Division will continue to work with station owners to test fuel samples and identify impacted retailers.—
Noun
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Its supply chain spans continents — chemical precursors from China, synthesized in Mexico, and transported across the southern border in quantities small enough to evade traditional enforcement — before spreading into communities far from any border.—
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Since its membership is entirely international, the awards sometimes reflect the taste of an increasingly global Academy better than guild precursors like the SAG Awards or DGAs.—
Noun
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Whenever using space heaters in a bathroom or kitchen, take all precautions to reduce the risk of electric shock whether that's positioning your heater away from water sources like sinks and showers.—
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Plot details are under wraps, though sources tell us this is a cop film.—
Noun
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The specimens discovered in five caves near the city of Arar in northern Saudi Arabia offer a glimpse of hope for reintroducing the species to the Arabian Peninsula.—
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Boug and his colleagues dated two of these specimens and five of the skeletal remains, with the oldest having lived some 4,000 years ago and the youngest having lived 130 years ago.—
Noun
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Nor can Brownfield vote in Squaxin elections, or harvest clams on the Salish Sea beaches where her ancestors did so for generations.—
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The biologists believe that early monitor lizards, including the ancestors of Australian monitors known as goannas, originally lost their osteoderms because an active, pursuit-hunting lifestyle favored speed and agility over heavy body armor.—
Cite this Entry
“Prototypes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prototypes. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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