archaic

adjective

är-ˈkā-ik How to pronounce archaic (audio)
Definition of archaicnext
as in obsolete
having passed its time of use or usefulness the company needs to update its archaic computer system

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective archaic differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of archaic are ancient, antiquated, antique, obsolete, old, and venerable. While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time.

the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period

When could ancient be used to replace archaic?

The meanings of ancient and archaic largely overlap; however, 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 archaic?

The words antiquated and archaic can be used in similar contexts, but antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

antiquated teaching methods

When is it sensible to use antique instead of archaic?

Although the words antique and archaic have much in common, antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time.

collected antique Chippendale furniture

When is obsolete a more appropriate choice than archaic?

While in some cases nearly identical to archaic, 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 can old be used instead of archaic?

The words old and archaic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence.

old houses
an old sweater of mine

Where would venerable be a reasonable alternative to archaic?

The synonyms venerable and archaic are sometimes interchangeable, 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 archaic To a modern reader, some of the poem’s charm, and its difficulty, comes from its eccentric punctuation and archaic vocabulary. —New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026 Back then, the casino had to be floating on water in order for the gambling to be legal, which sounds downright archaic considering all the gaming now taking place on land and sea and most especially in cyberspace. —Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026 As executives keep pushing to find the magic ROI of AI, a new Workday study suggests that employees aren’t being set up to succeed—thanks to archaic job structures. —Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2026 This may be an issue the generations view quite differently — that mailed thank-yous, birthday and anniversary greetings may be seen as charming but archaic. —Judith Martin, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for archaic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for archaic
  1. obsolete
  2. antiquated
  3. medieval
  4. prehistoric
Adjective
  • Conversely, Hickey brushed off the recent software stock rout that's been driven by investor fear that AI will suddenly make many software providers obsolete.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
  • So the question of which ride is superior may soon be obsolete as more robotaxis take to the streets and more Austinites get a glimpse of a world without human drivers.
    — Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026
Definition of obsolete
Adjective
  • Wilson said the immediacy of her script connects with how Hedda isn’t simply an antiquated character from the past but someone women today can identify with.
    — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The theatrical window is not an antiquated tradition.
    — Joseph M. Singer, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of antiquated
Adjective
  • Resembling a medieval Armenian fortress, the hotel has rooms that boasted arched doorways, stone flooring and handwoven Tufenkian carpets.
    — Marlise Kast-Myers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Referees read the penalty list like medieval friars reading an endless scroll.
    — Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of medieval
Adjective
  • The new research focused on three Prototaxites fossils unearthed in the Rhynie chert, a prehistoric land ecosystem near Aberdeen, Scotland.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
  • With previous showstoppers such as The Blooming of the Mosasaurs—a bold blue ensemble inspired by a prehistoric marine reptile whose fossils have been discovered in Angola, Africa, as well as in Louisiana—Zulu plans every suit to be his best one yet.
    — Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
Definition of prehistoric

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Cite this Entry

“Archaic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archaic. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of archaic for Spanish Speakers

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