as in traditional
tending to favor established ideas, conditions, or institutions
an old-line professor who still taught as if it were 1930
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Recent Examples of old-line
These firms had been the envy of the old-line investment banking houses.
—
Jim Cramer, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2026
More practically, people on Netflix’s side might say that further industry consolidation is inevitable, given changing consumer habits and shifting business models for old-line media companies.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
That has included a growing number of tech and IT firms taking their place, pushing off the likes of print publishers and old-line industrial companies in the process.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
Among the festival organizers, Yarrow was an advocate for the topical songwriting and contemporary sounds that some old-line folk aficionados resisted.
—Jon Pareles, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Her main opponent is expected to be Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Virginia), 74, who is considered a more mainstream, old-line Democratic figure.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 Dec. 2024
On the other hand, the old-line producers knew how to tap into the classic novels of Dickens or Steinbeck to spin out great stories with legendary stars.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2024
Jim Cramer, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2026
More practically, people on Netflix’s side might say that further industry consolidation is inevitable, given changing consumer habits and shifting business models for old-line media companies.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
That has included a growing number of tech and IT firms taking their place, pushing off the likes of print publishers and old-line industrial companies in the process.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
Among the festival organizers, Yarrow was an advocate for the topical songwriting and contemporary sounds that some old-line folk aficionados resisted.
—Jon Pareles, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Her main opponent is expected to be Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Virginia), 74, who is considered a more mainstream, old-line Democratic figure.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 Dec. 2024
On the other hand, the old-line producers knew how to tap into the classic novels of Dickens or Steinbeck to spin out great stories with legendary stars.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old-line
Adjective
-
The administrations of Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden maintained a traditional, strong alliance with Israel, including enormous military assistance, but avoided being drawn into sustained military combat in the Middle East.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Here, the train rolls into one of Scotland’s most remote stations, arriving via a line built up on a raft of roots and brushwood because traditional foundations failed in the boggy ground.—
Rosie Conroy,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Harris, a Democrat, is once again running for Congress in Georgia's 14th District, a deeply conservative region represented by Marjorie Taylor Greene, who resigned in January this year.—
Brian Unger,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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While not issuing a quick rejection, key conservative justices seemed skeptical of the administration’s arguments for its legality.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Ver had initially gone the orthodox route of hiring tax attorneys from a prestigious law firm, Steptoe.—
Avi Asher-Schapiro,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Despite the revolving door of presidents, Peru’s economy has been stable over the past decade, with governments sticking to orthodox economic policies that include modest fiscal spending, while international companies have been encouraged to invest in areas like mining and infrastructure.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Old-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old-line. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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