venerable

adjective

ˈve-nər(-ə)-bəl How to pronounce venerable (audio)
Definition of venerablenext
1
as in venerated
deserving honor and respect especially by reason of age the venerable old man was a cherished source of advice and wisdom for the villagers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ancient
dating or surviving from the distant past a venerable tradition that colleges have been maintaining for centuries

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective venerable differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of venerable are ancient, antiquated, antique, archaic, obsolete, and old. While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age.

the family's venerable patriarch

When might ancient be a better fit than venerable?

While in some cases nearly identical to venerable, 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 venerable?

The synonyms antiquated and venerable are sometimes interchangeable, but antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

antiquated teaching methods

When is antique a more appropriate choice than venerable?

The meanings of antique and venerable largely overlap; however, antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time.

collected antique Chippendale furniture

When would archaic be a good substitute for venerable?

While the synonyms archaic and venerable 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

Where would obsolete be a reasonable alternative to venerable?

In some situations, the words obsolete and venerable are roughly equivalent. However, 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 could old be used to replace venerable?

The words old and venerable can be used in similar contexts, but old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence.

old houses
an old sweater of mine

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 venerable There, Killings brushed shoulders with some of hip-hop’s most venerable legends, including Tupac Shakur and Eazy-E, leaving an indelible mark with his contagious personality and tireless hustle. —Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 19 May 2025 Justina Machado's Penelope Alvarez is a deeply venerable and vulnerable mom, trying her best to make a living and raise good humans with the help of her mother Lydia (the legendary Rita Moreno). —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 10 May 2025 Nearly 25 years have passed since an upstart Harlem minister tried to unseat the venerable Charlie Rangel, as much an institution as the Apollo Theater or the nearby Lenox Lounge. —Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 31 May 2025 This is thanks to the venerable Hass variety, discovered in the 1920s by a Pasadena mail carrier-turned-grower, Rudolph Hass. —Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for venerable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for venerable
  1. ancient
  2. revered
  3. old
  4. respectable
  5. antique
  6. medieval
Adjective
  • Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico This UNESCO World Heritage Site features ancient Puebloan structures aligned with solar events like Casa Rinconada.
    — Emese Maczko, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • Casablanca has opened its first stand-alone store at 62 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, and is shaking up the neighborhood with a colorful, youthful energy and interiors inspired by ancient Greece, Japan and the game of tennis.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 6 June 2025
Definition of ancient
Adjective
  • The complex houses four shrines, the most revered being the Nani Mandir.
    — Zia ur-Rehman Asim Hafeez, New York Times, 30 May 2025
  • To the contrary, the NHL’s most revered trophy almost always makes a summer stop in Minnesota, when a triumphant player from Eden Prairie or White Bear Lake or Grand Rapids brings the chalice to their home rink for a day.
    — Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 9 May 2025
Definition of revered
Adjective
  • International students make up about 27% of the student body at the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university.
    — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
  • Former New College student Katie Helms, 47, got emotional when remembering her old mentor.
    — Toria Sheffield, People.com, 25 May 2025
Definition of old
Adjective
  • Even among more respectable children’s literature from its time, Peter was a thoughtful creation, his architects never hesitating to use his famous credo: With great power comes great responsibility.
    — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025
  • The Nasdaq Composite had a slightly better session, closing at a respectable 0.32%.
    — Paolo Confino, Fortune, 4 June 2025
Definition of respectable
Adjective
  • The online marketplace is full of fellow antique lovers selling finds that date all the way back to the 1940s.
    — Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
  • When Tanner moved a few years later, an antique dealer took possession.
    — Samantha Baskind, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2025
Definition of antique
Adjective
  • Seton Hall Prep: Sweeney’s father had been a professor of medieval English at Seton Hall University.
    — Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
  • The new property stands out not only for its elegant interiors, but also for its home in a 12th-century castle with medieval history.
    — Opheli Garcia Lawler, AFAR Media, 29 May 2025
Definition of medieval

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veneers
venerable
venerableness
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Cite this Entry

“Venerable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/venerable. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on venerable

Nglish: Translation of venerable for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about venerable

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