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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

old

2 of 2

noun

as in antiquity

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Dissimilar Words

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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

Tyler James Feehan shared memories of the 25-year-old who was killed on July 17 as a result of Iranian strikes on Jordan. — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026 Godreque Newsom was accused of unintentionally killing 27-year-old Abari Meade in a car wreck and fleeing the scene. — Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 22 July 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

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people and those with weakened immune systems.

— Mary Lyle, Arkansas Online, 23 July 2026
One Sunday, Henrichsen assaulted an elderly couple walking along a road, knocking over an 80-year-old man and striking his wife, according to a memo compiled by the neighborhood homeowner’s association.

— Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of elderly

Adjective

The company’s Orick sawmill began operating in 1954 and processed ancient redwoods for 55 years before closing in October 2009.

— Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
The disaster also prompted the study of ancient floods as a way to gauge how common large flash floods are in specific areas — a field called paleoflood hydrology.

— Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 27 July 2026

Definition of ancient

Adjective

Errol Spence hasn't fought in three years, but the former world champion is climbing back into the ring on Saturday to take on another former champ in Tim Tszyu.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
Ciara, who has been married to former NFL quarterback Russell Wilson for a decade and before then soundtracked my college experience with her bops, is the guest judge filling in for Nina.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 July 2026

Definition of former

Adjective

Anyone looking to change their old, boring, heavy bag routine should consider a boxing reflex ball.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 23 July 2026
Peace lily The peace lily may be one of the most common flowering houseplants around, but this tranquil botanical with tropical origins is anything but boring.

— Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 22 July 2026

Definition of boring

Noun

The sculptures were among 34 Southeast Asian antiquities voluntarily relinquished by the collector in 2021 after investigators determined they had been looted.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Katerina Zacharia, a professor of classics at Loyola Marymount University whose work focuses on classical antiquity in visual and performance culture, was blunt about the armor featured in the film.

— Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of antiquity

Adjective

Known as the ultimate anti-aging beauty food (and a favorite among many celebs), salmon is known to be good for your brain and gut health while also lowering liver fat.

— Audrey Noble, Vogue, 24 July 2026
The compounds are promoted for a variety of uses, from anti-aging benefits to better sleep and faster healing.

— Sara G. Miller, NBC news, 23 July 2026

Definition of aging

Adjective

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

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 31 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of old

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Synonyms of old

adjective

noun

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13 New Words for Old Things

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on old

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