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

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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 34-year-old returned to a hero’s welcome in his nation’s capital of Mogadishu following his denial of entry to the US. — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026 The 35-year-old continued to defy expectations with six more scoreless innings Tuesday as part of a 4-0 Braves’ win over the Mets at Truist Park. — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 12 Aug. 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

Parents raised concerns over their children and elderly relatives.

— City News Service, Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
Li grounded the point in her own experience caring for elderly parents.

— Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of elderly

Adjective

In a sport written about in ancient Greek literature, no one has thrown a discus as far as Mykolas Alekna.

— Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
The story follows ancient creatures appearing in the modern world, prompting heroes from different countries to confront a rising darkness threatening the region.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of ancient

Adjective

She’s hired a former Georgia Supreme Court chief justice as a special prosecutor to get the state’s appellate courts to weigh in.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Among the players involved in the Georgia case are former Clemson and Georgia forward RJ Godfrey, former UCF forward Jamichael Stillwell and former Georgia Tech guard Lamar Washington.

— Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of former

Adjective

Unfortunately, the group offered amazingly little of that over the course of the night, minimizing the bells and whistles during what could be properly dubbed a fairly boring stage show overall.

— Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026
In valuing and nurturing a sense of life as the adventure of understanding and demonstrating Love’s allness, what might have previously seemed to be a boring gap in activity becomes a spiritually refreshing pause.

— Tony Lobl, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of boring

Noun

The sense of antiquity is preserved (stone staircases worn smooth by the centuries, wooden shutters in the bedrooms), but there’s no shortage of modern amenities, from the amazing Duxiana beds to bathrooms with rain showers.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
The film revolves around a crew of motorcycle thieves who begin stealing priceless antiquities around the world.

— Justin Kroll, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of antiquity

Adjective

So some people needed the anti-aging Cleanser, but the blemish Polish.

— Rachel Burchfield, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
The slime is highly valued as an anti-inflammatory and anti-aging ingredient in certain skin care products, and snails can secrete different kinds of mucus with properties tailored to specific functions.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of aging

Adjective

With sawdust on the asphalt and splintered wood on the hillside, one of the city’s most venerable trees was torn apart on Monday.

— Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
There's no shortage of high-end vehicles to drive these days and venerable automakers are competing to produce the greatest, most luxurious and flashiest status symbols.

— Morgan Korn, ABC News, 25 July 2026

Definition of venerable

Adjective

The erstwhile New York resident was loudly and vigorously booed by the hometown crowd as he was shown on the jumbotron of the legendary arena.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 8 June 2026
Despite his meltdown in Colorado’s extra-inning loss to Milwaukee Friday night, the erstwhile starter has been one of baseball’s best relievers this season.

— Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 7 June 2026

Definition of erstwhile

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

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Synonyms of old

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