VENERABLE Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of venerable are ancient , antiquated , antique , archaic , obsolete , and old . While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age. // the family's venerable patriarch

Q: When might 'ancient' be a better fit than 'venerable'?

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

Q: In what contexts can 'antiquated' take the place of 'venerable'?

The synonyms antiquated and venerable are sometimes interchangeable, but antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time. // antiquated teaching methods

Q: When is 'antique' a more appropriate choice than 'venerable'?

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

Q: When would 'archaic' be a good substitute for 'venerable'?

While the synonyms archaic and venerable 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: Where would 'obsolete' be a reasonable alternative to 'venerable'?

In some situations, the words obsolete and venerable are roughly equivalent. However, 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 could 'old' be used to replace 'venerable'?

The words old and venerable can be used in similar contexts, but old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence. // old houses // an old sweater of mine

venerable

adjective

ˈve-nər(-ə)-bəl

Definition of venerable

as in venerated

deserving honor and respect especially by reason of age the venerable old man was a cherished source of advice and wisdom for the villagers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ancient

dating or surviving from the distant past a venerable tradition that colleges have been maintaining for centuries

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective venerable differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of venerable are ancient, antiquated, antique, archaic, obsolete, and old. While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age.

the family's venerable patriarch

When might ancient be a better fit than venerable?

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

ancient accounts of dragons

In what contexts can antiquated take the place of venerable?

The synonyms antiquated and venerable are sometimes interchangeable, but antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

antiquated teaching methods

When is antique a more appropriate choice than venerable?

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

collected antique Chippendale furniture

When would archaic be a good substitute for venerable?

While the synonyms archaic and venerable 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

Where would obsolete be a reasonable alternative to venerable?

In some situations, the words obsolete and venerable are roughly equivalent. However, 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 could old be used to replace venerable?

The words old and venerable can be used in similar contexts, but old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence.

old houses

an old sweater of mine

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 venerable 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 Dhani Harrison, the son of George Harrison, and venerable producer Nigel Godrich have formed a new duo. — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 22 July 2026 Reid Scott, who has played Senior Detective Vincent Riley for the past three seasons, is leaving the venerable NBC crime drama. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 22 July 2026 The venerable roadside establishment is now under the management of a nonprofit and has been restored. — From Staff Reports, Des Moines Register, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for venerable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for venerable

Adjective

On the night of June 15, a Russian drone directly hit the most venerated site for Ukraine’s majority Orthodox Christians, and indeed for much of Eastern Christendom.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 26 June 2026
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the landmark live release, Frampton recounts his history in bands The Herd and Humble Pie before striking stadium-sellout gold as a solo star with venerated guitar chops and an inventive talk box.

— Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 3 June 2026

Definition of venerated

Adjective

This ancient city, sited halfway between London and Edinburgh, has a wealth of significant historic attractions dating back to its Ancient Roman origins.

— Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
During its two-and-a-half-hour descent through Titan’s thick orange atmosphere, Huygens captured the first-ever views of the surface, revealing river channels, ancient shorelines and a landscape shaped by liquid methane rather than water.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of ancient

Adjective

The Mitsubishi Delica has long served as a revered nameplate in the JDM camper and off-road adventure van conversion space, both in Japan and in western markets like the UK, US and Australia.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2026
His revered mentor, José Antonio Abreu, who founded the educational program in 1975 with the conviction that learning music can, in bettering lives, lead to profound social change.

— Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of revered

Adjective

So when the 36-year-old was pronounced dead in a South Carolina apartment on Sunday, shock and grief stretched around the world.

— Holly Yan, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Chinese humanoid robot maker Unitree Robotics saw its shares jump as much as 629% during its Wednesday market debut in Shanghai—an eye-popping rally that pushed 36-year-old chairman and CEO Wang Xingxing’s net worth to $16 billion.

— Yue Wang, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of old

Adjective

Hopefully the quarterback Miami guaranteed $45 million over the next two seasons to as a free agent will blossom into a respectable, if not top shelf NFL starter in time.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
So far, the show has a very respectable 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, though that could move either direction once the series is out for the masses.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of respectable

Adjective

The 1950s coffee table is topped with an antique metal Korean grain smasher.

— Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026
Sumptuously furnished with vintage and antique decor, the rooms make a statement through bold colors, custom kimono bathrobes, and handmade Hästens beds.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of antique

Adjective

Divination practices often use Tarot cards or the ogham alphabet, which was originally employed in early medieval Irish and Pictish inscriptions.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
StemRad engineers, though, figured dressing as a medieval knight doesn’t really get you all that much.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of medieval

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venerable

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“Venerable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/venerable. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of venerable

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