OLD Synonyms: 311 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'old' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of old are ancient , antiquated , antique , archaic , obsolete , and venerable . While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence. // old houses // an old sweater of mine

Q: When can 'ancient' be used instead of 'old'?

While in some cases nearly identical to old , ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past. // ancient accounts of dragons

Q: When might 'antiquated' be a better fit than 'old'?

In some situations, the words antiquated and old are roughly equivalent. However, antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time. // antiquated teaching methods

Q: When would 'antique' be a good substitute for 'old'?

The meanings of antique and old largely overlap; however, antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time. // collected antique Chippendale furniture

Q: When is 'archaic' a more appropriate choice than 'old'?

While the synonyms archaic and old are close in meaning, archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time. // the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period

Q: In what contexts can 'obsolete' take the place of 'old'?

The words obsolete and old are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, obsolete may apply to something regarded as no longer acceptable or useful even though it is still in existence. // a computer that makes earlier models obsolete

Q: When is it sensible to use 'venerable' instead of 'old'?

The words venerable and old can be used in similar contexts, but venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age. // the family's venerable patriarch

old 1 of 2

adjective

ˈōld

Definition of old

as in elderly

being of advanced years and especially past middle age every day the old fisherman set out in his small boat to brave the dangers of the sea

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ancient

dating or surviving from the distant past an extremely old piece of jewelry was discovered in the Egyptian ruins

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in former

having been such at some previous time I ran into my old fourth-grade teacher yesterday

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in boring

causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest even the most stirring speeches start to get old after you've heard them a few times

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

old

2 of 2

noun

as in antiquity

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How does the adjective old differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of old are ancient, antiquated, antique, archaic, obsolete, and venerable. While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence.

old houses

an old sweater of mine

When can ancient be used instead of old?

While in some cases nearly identical to old, ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past.

ancient accounts of dragons

When might antiquated be a better fit than old?

In some situations, the words antiquated and old are roughly equivalent. However, antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

antiquated teaching methods

When would antique be a good substitute for old?

The meanings of antique and old largely overlap; however, antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time.

collected antique Chippendale furniture

When is archaic a more appropriate choice than old?

While the synonyms archaic and old are close in meaning, archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time.

the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period

In what contexts can obsolete take the place of old?

The words obsolete and old are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, obsolete may apply to something regarded as no longer acceptable or useful even though it is still in existence.

a computer that makes earlier models obsolete

When is it sensible to use venerable instead of old?

The words venerable and old can be used in similar contexts, but venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age.

the family's venerable patriarch

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 old

Adjective

The 38-year-old quarterback has thrown six interceptions and hasn’t played at the same level that earned him league MVP honors last season. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 But the Supreme Court ruled in May that people sentenced under older, harsher laws cannot rely on the disparity between their sentences and current penalties to seek early compassionate release. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026

Noun

But an investigation by ProPublica and Verite News found that 69% of 17-year olds in three of the state’s largest parishes were arrested for offenses that Louisiana law does not consider violent crimes. — Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 22 May 2026 While most 18-year-olds know a 21-year-old, few can rely on a 26-year-old to do the same. — Katharine Silbaugh, STAT, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for old

Recent Examples of Synonyms for old

Adjective

One example is Hilton’s care hub, which provides guidance and strategies for caring for elderly relatives, children, and mental health advice.

— Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
In late May, Netanyahu and his limited security cabinet approved a three-phase proposal that would begin with a six-week ceasefire and the release of 33 elderly and wounded hostages before leading to the release of all others and an end of the war.

— Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of elderly

Adjective

This chapter is accompanied by somewhat twee images of an owl doll, a bottle of designer perfume, a high heel, and a golden microphone positioned against various ancient Greek ruins, including the Parthenon and the Monument of the Eponymous Heroes.

— Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
Its wonders include countryside wineries, ancient archaeological sites and unforgettable beaches.

— Rick Steves, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of ancient

Adjective

The company is run by CEO Huh Kyubum, a former venture capitalist with Union Investment Partners who focused on investing in Korean content.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Britain’s financial regulator has banned a former HSBC banker from the industry over a train-fare fraud that cost a railway operator £5,911, or about $7,800.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of former

Adjective

Despite its tranquil reputation, knitting is anything but boring.

— Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026
On the North Side, a site is being prepped for the digging of an access tunnel 70 feet in diameter into which a giant boring machine will begin tunneling 15 miles under and along our three rivers.

— Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of boring

Noun

Burnham, who has long supported the antiquities’ return to Athens over the last 25 years of his career, was considered by Greek officials to be the best hope of finally ending the feud.

— Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
The Palmyran relief, alongside 14 mosaics taken from a Syrian Roman villa, are part of a collection of 31 Middle Eastern and North African antiquities allegedly brought to New York by trafficker Georges Lotfi.

— News Desk, Artforum, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of antiquity

Adjective

Ragkun Retinol Collagen Cream Among the cream’s ingredients are retinol and collagen, the ultimate anti-aging duo.

— Isabel Bekele, InStyle, 5 Oct. 2026
About the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Moisturizer As with all Revitalift products, the formula blends a trio of active ingredients to bolster anti-aging benefits.

— Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of aging

Adjective

Ben’Imana premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes, marking the first time a film from Rwanda screened in the venerable fest’s official selection.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
As for the plane in question, this is a variant of the venerable F-16 and is a heavily modernized version featuring, among other features, APG-83 Active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of venerable

Adjective

These yachties aren’t as calloused as the erstwhile SURvers, so for the most part, the tour goes well.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026
The Project’s ranks now include about 80 fishermen manning 15 boats who also support the tagging and research of their erstwhile prey (their work has led to the recent world-first tagging of 10 tiger sharks in Indonesian waters).

— Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of erstwhile

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old countries

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“Old.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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noun

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