as in ancient
dating or surviving from the distant past
the hoar and crumbling stones of ruined temples
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Recent Examples of hoar
Brandi D. Addison, IndyStar, 4 Dec. 2025
The hidden layer of fragile surface hoar, with facets playing a contributing role, is now the failure point for large and unpredictable slabs of snow.
—Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2024
There are many different kinds of frost: crystalline (hoar) frost, white frost, black frost, advection frost, and the frost that forms on glass windows, to name a few.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023
During cold weather the moisture precipitates out of the air onto every branch and willow bush, coating them in a layer of hoar frost.
—Seth Adams, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 May 2023
Alli Harvey, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Jan. 2022
Furthermore, the clear conditions preceding the storm could have led to the formation of a layer of light, feathery frost, known as surface hoar.
—Douglas Preston, The New Yorker, 10 May 2021
YESTERDAY’S WORD — ANCHORS acorn arch arson nacho nosh cash chaos char corn crash hoar hora horn orach orca racon ranch rash roach roan scan scar scorn shorn soar sonar sora
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com.
—Kathleen Saxe, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2017
But sometimes the crystals grow particularly large, forming hoar frost.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 24 Jan. 2014
Adjective
Terms like graupel, rime ice, and hoar frost describe specific ways ice and frost form on surfaces and in the air.
—Brandi D. Addison, IndyStar, 4 Dec. 2025
The hidden layer of fragile surface hoar, with facets playing a contributing role, is now the failure point for large and unpredictable slabs of snow.
—Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2024
There are many different kinds of frost: crystalline (hoar) frost, white frost, black frost, advection frost, and the frost that forms on glass windows, to name a few.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023
During cold weather the moisture precipitates out of the air onto every branch and willow bush, coating them in a layer of hoar frost.
—Seth Adams, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 May 2023
Noun
The hoar frost made the trees sparkle as though Earthquake Park were contained in a snow globe.
—Alli Harvey, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Jan. 2022
Furthermore, the clear conditions preceding the storm could have led to the formation of a layer of light, feathery frost, known as surface hoar.
—Douglas Preston, The New Yorker, 10 May 2021
YESTERDAY’S WORD — ANCHORS acorn arch arson nacho nosh cash chaos char corn crash hoar hora horn orach orca racon ranch rash roach roan scan scar scorn shorn soar sonar sora
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com.
—Kathleen Saxe, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2017
But sometimes the crystals grow particularly large, forming hoar frost.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 24 Jan. 2014
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoar
Adjective
-
In addition to traditional treatments, there are holistic therapies like sound healing, Reiki, and shirodhara, an ancient Ayurvedic remedy.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
-
There are both national and individual narratives for an ancient object or work of art.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Many of these crops can be sown six to eight weeks before the last expected frost in your region, but exact timing depends on your local climate.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
13 May 2026
-
These cold-hardy crops are the backbone of an early spring garden, capable of withstanding light frosts and continuing to produce as temperatures slowly warm.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Teagan plans to begin with the venerable piggy bank, with its easy-in slot and lock-protected door.—
byDoug Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
11 May 2026
-
Allen recorded the project at Austin’s venerable Arlyn Studios, with renowned guitarist — and mentor to Allen — Charlie Sexton co-producing along with Jacob Sciba.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
4 May 2026
Adjective
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One prompted stories of an old cowboy sitting alone on a porch, surveying a ghost town; another prompted stories about a sun rising over a meadow, where tiny creatures awakened and started to frolic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Instead of looking frumpy in an old T-shirt, look polished and refined in this shirt that won’t constrict your movements.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
May any upcoming project break new ground, rather than sifting through the waste bin of decades of gay comedy and pulling out the hoariest bits.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
-
Connecticut’s three tree-roosting bat species include the eastern red, silver-haired, and hoary bats.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
While the use of mercury might evoke images of the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland, this highly toxic element was also employed in late- and post-medieval Europe as a treatment for venereal syphilis and leprosy.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
17 May 2026
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The murder of Thomas Becket in 1170 was one of the most shocking events in medieval England; Becket, once a close friend and ally of Henry II, became Archbishop of Canterbury and defended the independence of the church against the king’s authority.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
In the northernmost part of Delaware, coal-burning steam locomotives still chug along historic rails, pulling travelers in antique passenger coaches.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
19 May 2026
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The legacy continues with entertainment, historical characters, antique cars, food trucks, children’s activities, artisans and a petting zoo.—
Debby Rice,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hoar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoar. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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