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View synonyms for paragon

paragon

[ par-uh-gon, -guhn ]

noun

  1. a model or pattern of excellence or of a particular excellence:

    a paragon of virtue.

    Synonyms: paradigm, exemplar, example, quintessence, epitome, standard, ideal

  2. someone of exceptional merit:

    Just who is this paragon whose name is on everyone's lips?

    Synonyms: nonpareil, nonesuch

  3. Printing. a 20-point type.
  4. an unusually large, round pearl.


verb (used with object)

  1. Rare. to compare; parallel.
  2. Archaic. to be a match for; rival.
  3. Obsolete. to surpass.
  4. Obsolete. to regard as a paragon.

paragon

/ ˈpærəɡən /

noun

  1. a model of excellence; pattern

    a paragon of virtue

  2. a size of printer's type, approximately equal to 20 point


verb

  1. archaic.
    1. to equal or surpass
    2. to compare
    3. to regard as a paragon

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Other Words From

  • para·gonless adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of paragon1

First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French paragon, parangon “model,” from Old Italian paragone “touchstone,” from paragonare “to compare, test on a touchstone,” from Greek parakonân “to sharpen, whet,” equivalent to para- “beside, alongside” + akonân “to sharpen, whet,” a derivative of akónē “whetstone, bone”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of paragon1

C16: via French from Old Italian paragone comparison, from Medieval Greek parakonē whetstone, from Greek parakonan to sharpen against, from para- 1+ akonan to sharpen, from akonē whetstone

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Example Sentences

The Ralph Retort, a paragon of ethical journalism websites, decided to make crowdsourcing stuff to discredit me into a project.

Paragon of virtue Oliver North called for charges to be filed against Warner Brothers Music.

While Bacall seems like a paragon of cool confidence in the final product, she was a nervous wreck on set.

The man who holds ABC/ESPN's wacky goulash of World Cup punditry together strikes viewers as a paragon of congeniality.

He was a paragon of masculinity—a tall, dark, and impossibly handsome enigma.

Presently I enquired when she proposed to introduce this paragon to the person responsible for him.

I recall the case of a gentleman whose reputation was that of a paragon of all the virtues.

Olga, a paragon of maids, if references and experience count, showed no signs of the wear and tear of previous mistresses.

Alice Turner was engaged also, and certainly very much in love if she considered the young man a paragon.

Then he thought bitterly upon that paragon of perfection who had caused his banishment.

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paragogeparagonite