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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in original

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

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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 Or, rather, the prototype itself was dropped — on purpose — but the outcome of its fall was not what engineers had hoped for. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Based on a prototype that Swiss watchmaker Louis Cottier, who famously invented the world time mechanism, is believed to have made in 1954, Ref. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2026 De Jong began building prototypes and models in Los Angeles with her construction coordinator Jonas Kirk. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026 Elements of the prototype will be incorporated in future stores, including the one scheduled to open in Summerlin, a suburb of Las Vegas, next January. — David Moin, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prototype

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prototype

Noun

The world’s highest-profile tech billionaires offer the most conspicuous examples.

— Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
One particularly promising example is an MRI technique that identifies the central vein sign, a feature that can help physicians distinguish lesions associated with MS from abnormalities caused by other conditions.

— Bruce Bebo, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of example

Noun

Koslow’s screen career began in 1976 as the writer of the film Lifeguard, a ’70s-era Baywatch forerunner starring a hunky Sam Elliott and Anne Archer.

— Tom Tapp, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of forerunner

Noun

For Netflix, the pact is part of a wider effort to supplement its originals with more licensed programming from outside producers.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026
From demolition to a bigger mission The church now plans to build a sanctuary twice the size of the original, with room to expand its community outreach.

— Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of original

Noun

There are rippling gasps, drums, strings, sax, a vaguely Latin guitar, a sample of a woman talking about getting her hair done.

— Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
Scammers can lift voice samples from videos people casually post on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

— Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of sample

Noun

The three have also introduced tax plans that could be precursors to 2028 platforms.

— Jared Ochacher, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Perhaps the clearest precursor to the complicated racial dynamics of deepfake memes is what happened on TikTok at the turn of the decade.

— Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of precursor

Noun

In some instances a victim’s extraneous activity has made a prosecutor’s task more difficult.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
In most instances, those with shigellosis are able to recover on their own, but patients with more severe cases may require antibiotics and hospitalization.

— Devika Rao, TheWeek, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of instance

Browse Nearby Words

protocols

prototype

prototypes

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Podcast

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Style

“Prototype.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prototype. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of prototype

noun

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