Paragon

/ˈpæɹəɡən/ · noun

Meaning

A person of preeminent qualities, who acts as a pattern or model for others..

Definitions by Sense

1. A person of preeminent qualities, who acts as a pattern or model for others.
2. (obsolete) A companion; a match; an equal.
3. (obsolete) Comparison; competition.
4. (typography, printing, dated) The size of type between great primer and double pica, standardized as 20-point.
5. (gemmology) A flawless diamond of at least 100 carats.
6. To compare; to parallel; to put in rivalry or emulation with.
7. To compare with; to equal; to rival.
8. To serve as a model for; to surpass.

Example Sentences

In the novel, Constanza is a paragon of virtue who would never compromise her reputation.

What a piece of worke is man! how Noble in Reaſon? […] the beauty of the world, the Parragon of Animals;

That thou might'st cherish for thine own / The riches of sweet Mary's son, / Boy-Rabbi, Israel's paragon.

Yes, there were instances of grandstanding and obsessive behaviour, but many were concealed at the time to help protect an aggressively peddled narrative of [Oscar] Pistorius the paragon, the emblem, the trailblazer.

Liz Cheney and her father are positioning themselves as protectors of the old order, as paragons of truth and as defenders of our American norms.

A paragon must embody liberal democracy. To get its hands dirty defending it is below-stairs.

Philoclea, who indeed had no paragon but her sister

Nathlesse proud man himselfe the other deemed, Having so peerlesse paragon ygot

Synonyms for paragon

Antonyms for paragon

Related Words

Word Forms

• paragons
• paragoning
• paragoned

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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