1
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
2
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
3
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
4
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of old
Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
From the bathroom, the 8-year-old called for Furlong and asked for help with his tie.
—Laura Kwerel, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Coy Wire, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
But many people around the world still are using Windows 10, particularly those with older computers that can’t upgrade to Windows 11.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for old
Adjective
The 28-year-old hauled in 87 receptions for 1,027 yards and four touchdowns last season, representing the first 1,000-yard campaign of his NFL career.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
From the bathroom, the 8-year-old called for Furlong and asked for help with his tie.
—Laura Kwerel, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
The Steelers-Bengals game presents an incredible nod to human potential, and a great chance to see two old dudes – both of whom just happen to be Super Bowl-winning QBs like Brady and Brees – duke it out.
—Coy Wire, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
But many people around the world still are using Windows 10, particularly those with older computers that can’t upgrade to Windows 11.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for old
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old
Adjective
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Hollywood legend Cary Grant goes full-on slapstick as a man who discovers his sweet elderly aunts are actually serial killers.—
Gwen Ihnat,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
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This proposes altering the state constitution to increase the property tax exemption for homesteads owned by elderly or disabled individuals from $10,000 to $60,000 of the market value.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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During that time, particles cast off from that ancient body collide with our planet at speeds of up to 41 miles per second (66 kilometers per second), burning up in a magnificent display as they're overwhelmed by the friction of atmospheric entry.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
20 Oct. 2025
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Pausing to appreciate ancient petroglyphs or a primrose that blooms for just one day.—
Joan Meiners,
AZCentral.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Since the city does not own the adjacent former Staples building, which Spirit Halloween is leasing, there are no plans for that building to be part of the redevelopment, said Middletown Vice Mayor Steve West.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
23 Oct. 2025
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After years of a 4-4-2 being the prevailing setup across Europe in the 1990s, former Manchester City assistant manager Juanma Lillo was an early exponent of the 4-2-3-1 system in the early 2000s during his time in Spain.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Anyone who suggests Guardiola’s title-winning Manchester City teams were boring should be forced to watch 90 minutes of Mourinho’s Chelsea versus Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool in the mid-2000s and report back.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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The details might be boring, but the gathering of money—searching gem dealers, gold dealers—was a full-time job.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The former Egyptian tourism and antiquities minister won a landslide victory against his rival Firmin Edouard Matoko, a veteran diplomat and economist from Congo Brazzaville.—
Preeti Jha,
semafor.com,
10 Oct. 2025
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Athenians have been legume lovers since antiquity, and beans and pulses remain a fixture on meze menus the city over as a healthier, more affordable alternative to meat.—
Katherine Whittaker,
Saveur,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In a Commonwealth Athletic Conference match, Shawsheen Tech bested Innovation Academy, 3-0, as senior Francesca Reardon earned seven kills and four aces.—
Kristina Banahan,
Boston Herald,
17 Oct. 2025
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The senior scored on touchdown runs of 75 and 7 yards to open the scoring in the third quarter.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The venerable department store had long been in denial about the depth of its problems, said Spring, who took the reins of Macy’s Inc in early 2024 after a successful decade-long stint as CEO of its Bloomingdale’s division.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
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Los Angeles has the venerable Griffith Observatory, the scene of James Dean's knife fight in 1955's Rebel Without A Cause and where swooning lovers swayed among stars in 2016's La La Land.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Rounding out the character lineup is Frau von Luber, an erstwhile aristocrat who’s reduced to being the housekeeper in newly wealthy Olim’s castle—which used to belong to her.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
16 Oct. 2025
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The erstwhile president and his entourage got on a jet that flew them to Hmeimim, a coastal air base controlled by Russia, which had been his most critical backer in the war.—
Danny Makki,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Old.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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