Synonyms of antique

antique 1 of 2

adjective

(ˌ)an-ˈtēk 

1

as in ancient

dating or surviving from the distant past

studied shards from antique pots made by the Pueblos of the Southwest

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ancient
• venerable
• medieval
• old
• antiquated
• antediluvian
• hoary
• archaic
• prehistoric
• aged
• age-old
• immemorial
• hoar
• vintage
• traditional
• aging
• retro
• old-time
• obsolete
• dateless
• durable
• old-world
• outmoded
• geriatric
• out-of-date
• classical
• archaistic
• permanent
• fusty
• old-fashioned
• dated
• enduring
• timeless
• moldy
• lasting
• timeworn
• passé
• Noachian
• classic
• ageless
• mature
• primeval
• tried-and-true
• primordial
• long-lived
• tried
• time-honored
• time-tested
• hallowed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• modern
• new
• recent
• young
• contemporary
• youthful
• fresh
• current
• latest
• novel
• present-day
• vernal
• ultramodern
• unused
• untried
• mod
• untested
• brand-new
• unworn

2

as in vintage

pleasantly reminiscent of an earlier time

loved to collect antique sugar tongs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• vintage
• retro
• historic
• historical
• traditional
• antiquated
• old-time
• old-world
• old-fashioned
• quaint
• old-school
• ancient
• old-timey
• former
• retrograde
• past
• aged
• obsolete
• oldfangled
• olden
• late
• outmoded
• outdated
• out-of-date
• dated
• outworn
• moldy
• old hat
• superannuated
• forgotten
• fossilized
• hoary
• antediluvian
• venerable
• fusty
• bygone
• stodgy
• age-old
• atavistic
• musty
• timeless
• erstwhile
• rinky-dink
• anachronistic
• passé
• ageless
• remote
• anachronous
• moth-eaten
• dateless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• modern
• contemporary
• current
• new
• modernist
• modernistic
• present-day
• ultramodern
• hot
• newfangled
• state-of-the-art
• new age
• up-to-date
• fresh
• red-hot
• mod
• designer
• fashionable
• chic
• stylish
• smart
• modernized
• updated
• new-fashioned
• space-age
• latest
• last
• renewed
• nontraditional
• high-tech
• refurbished
• recent
• futuristic
• remodeled
• latter-day

antique

2 of 2

noun

(ˌ)an-ˈtēk 

as in artifact

something belonging to or surviving from an earlier period

their house is filled with rare antiques, including a collection of 19th-century African masks

Synonyms & Similar Words

• artifact
• relic
• antiquities
• fossil
• museum piece
• dinosaur
• ruins
• remnant
• vestige
• remains
• hangover
• trace

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective antique differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of antique are ancient, antiquated, archaic, obsolete, old, and venerable. While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time.

collected antique Chippendale furniture

In what contexts can ancient take the place of antique?

The words ancient and antique are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past.

ancient accounts of dragons

When is antiquated a more appropriate choice than antique?

The words antiquated and antique can be used in similar contexts, but antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

antiquated teaching methods

When might archaic be a better fit than antique?

In some situations, the words archaic and antique are roughly equivalent. However, archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time.

the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period

When would obsolete be a good substitute for antique?

The meanings of obsolete and antique largely overlap; 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 can old be used instead of antique?

While the synonyms old and antique are close in meaning, old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence.

old houses

an old sweater of mine

When is it sensible to use venerable instead of antique?

The synonyms venerable and antique are sometimes interchangeable, but venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age.

the family's venerable patriarch

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of antique

Adjective

Original Art on Canvas Danavee Long of This Vintage Grove is always looking at the walls of antique market booths, hoping to spot original works of art on canvas. — Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 25 June 2026

His left hand rests atop an antique cannon; his legs are spread wide, with knees bent as though ready to spring into action. — Judy Berman, Time, 24 June 2026

Noun

The decision to close the brick-and-mortar storefront reflects broader changes in the antiques business. — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026

There, chic diamond necklaces lay in glass boxes on navy blue velvet, and bracelets, earrings and rings were on show in custom antique jewelry boxes made from an assortment of 1950s tins. — Mary Wenthur, Footwear News, 26 June 2026