paragon
Standard of excellence
A paragon is a model of excellence or perfection—someone or something that embodies the ideal of a quality: a paragon of virtue, a paragon of efficiency.
The word implies not just high quality but the highest, a standard against which others are measured: She was considered a paragon among nurses.
Perfect representative of type
- quintessencePurest embodiment of something
- archetypeOriginal model for copies
- embodimentConcrete manifestation of idea
- apotheosisPeak or deification
standard-bearer · role model · icon · beacon · touchstone · ne plus ultra · paradigm · personification
Top competitor, or advocate
- heroOne admired for courage
- luminaryInspiring figure or celestial body
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
- masterAuthority or controller
genius · prodigy · star · legend · trailblazer · pioneer · titan · giant
Entirely without fault
- impeccableFree from any defect
- consummatePerfect beyond compare
- peerlessHaving no equal
- matchlessHaving no equal
unrivaled · unsurpassed · faultless · unblemished · immaculate · superlative · transcendent · supreme
Moral soundness and consistency
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- uprightnessMoral correctness and honesty
rectitude · moral excellence · principled · incorruptible · saintly · irreproachable · virtuous · high-minded
Crystallized carbon gemstone
- jewelPrecious cut stone
- precious stoneRare, valuable mineral specimen
- brilliantIntensely bright or gifted
- treasureValued wealth or keepsake
rarity · prize · crown jewel
epitome
Perfect representative of type
- quintessencePurest embodiment of something
- archetypeOriginal model for copies
- embodimentConcrete manifestation of idea
apotheosis · standard-bearer · role model · icon · beacon · touchstone · ne plus ultra · paradigm · personification · avatar
champion
Top competitor, or advocate
- heroOne admired for courage
- luminaryInspiring figure or celestial body
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
master · genius · prodigy · star · legend · trailblazer · pioneer · titan · giant · doyen
flawless
Entirely without fault
- impeccableFree from any defect
- consummatePerfect beyond compare
- peerlessHaving no equal
matchless · unrivaled · unsurpassed · faultless · unblemished · immaculate · superlative · transcendent · supreme · preeminent
integrity
Moral soundness and consistency
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- nobilityTitled ruling class
uprightness · rectitude · moral excellence · principled · incorruptible · saintly · irreproachable · virtuous · high-minded · scrupulous
diamond
Crystallized carbon gemstone
- jewelPrecious cut stone
- precious stoneRare, valuable mineral specimen
- brilliantIntensely bright or gifted
treasure · rarity · prize · crown jewel
- excellenceexcellence, greatness, superior, perfection, premium
- Excellence Termscream of the crop, top notch, gold standard, crème de la crème, best of the best
- notable figurespolitical leaders, historical figures, dignitary, luminary, presidents
- para- wordsparachute, paragraph, parallel, paramedic, paradise
- good peoplesaint, do-gooder, humanitarian, altruist, philanthropist
- idealsideal, utopia, archetypes, models, paradise
paragonimperfection
Fault or shortcoming
mediocrity · flaw · failure · defect · disaster
paragonvillain
Wicked story antagonist
scoundrel · reprobate · renegade · miscreant · degenerate
paragonmediocrity
Quality of being average
nonentity · nobody · average Joe · also-ran · second-rater