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Definition of oldnext
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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

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noun

Synonym Chooser

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
Established in 1833, Portsmouth Square is considered one of the oldest public spaces in San Francisco, predating much of the modern city. Maddie White, CBS News, 10 June 2026 As a result, the crowd is a mix of everyone from brunching neighborhood residents and locals on staycations to international tourists and older couples enjoying the city for the weekend. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2026
Noun
Two 19-year-olds and a 20-year-old inside the Kia Soul driven by Carbo were injured in the crash, according to state police. Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026 That trick play failed — Chism overthrew an open Drake Maye on the same reverse pass McDaniels called for Amendola and Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII — but the 24-year-old hauled in a 20-yard reception three plays later to move the chains on second-and-18. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for old
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old
Adjective
  • For those living in Osceola County, the Osceola Council on Aging (OCOA) hosts an Adult Day Health Care for elderly members of our community, and those living with cognitive disorders.
    Wendy Coschignano-Ford, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2026
  • Not too long ago, Noah Wyle was out to dinner when an elderly couple approached.
    Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • Its sheer red sandstone cliffs, carved over millions of years, cradle ancient cliff dwellings and rock art that tell stories of the ancestral Puebloans.
    Alia Beard Rau, USA Today, 10 June 2026
  • In his younger years, Jacobs would have hunted in ancient forests, now known only to our imaginations—old-growth stands of hemlock, pine, oak, and chestnut, with trees standing more than a hundred feet tall and nearly four hundred years old.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • The village of Juaben is home to the Aston Villa supporters’ group The Ghana Lions, with their fandom tracing back to a love of the club’s former Republic of Ireland international defender Paul McGrath.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 10 June 2026
  • With 48% of votes counted, Platner, an oyster farmer and former Marine, was winning with 72% to 20% for Mills.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • Swapping any boring sweater with this one will instantly upgrade your travel wardrobe (without much effort at all).
    Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026
  • He was meant to only be the stick-in-the-mud boring guy.
    Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • Although the theme of the collection is rooted in antiquity, many of the jewels also took inspiration from modern art such as the ’80s Memphis Movement or, in the case of the hieroglyphic clips, Frank Stella’s geometric shapes and bold colors of the ’70s.
    Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 12 June 2026
  • The German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, desperate to connect with the grandeur of antiquity and left bitterly disappointed by his visit to Rome, eventually arrived in this once-vibrant center of the extended Greek empire.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • According to dermatologists, sun protection is the single most important aspect of any anti-aging skin care routine.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 10 June 2026
  • It’s packed with anti-aging ingredients.
    Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 8 June 2026
Adjective
  • The venerable venue’s spokesman represents a must-see in a part of the city laden with them.
    David Dickstein, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
  • But this year, at the April opening of RH’s new Milanese flagship, the company struck a blow for the classic and the timeless with the launch of RH Estates, a new division that celebrates the genius of some of the world’s most venerable designers, past and present.
    Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 9 June 2026
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

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Cite this Entry

“Old.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.

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