OLD Synonyms: 311 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

old 1 of 2

adjective

ˈōld

Definition of old

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in former

having been such at some previous time I ran into my old fourth-grade teacher yesterday

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

old

2 of 2

noun

as in antiquity

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Dissimilar Words

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

The sheriff's office's drone was used to assist in checking the approximately 28-acre property and helped identify old kennel and animal-confinement areas. — River Valley Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026 The 27-year-old pre-training researcher’s dramatic resignation has fired off a provocative warning on X that instantly sent ripples across the tech sector. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026

Noun

But an investigation by ProPublica and Verite News found that 69% of 17-year olds in three of the state’s largest parishes were arrested for offenses that Louisiana law does not consider violent crimes. — Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 22 May 2026 While most 18-year-olds know a 21-year-old, few can rely on a 26-year-old to do the same. — Katharine Silbaugh, STAT, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for old

Recent Examples of Synonyms for old

Adjective

So, for example, 4 NAZA would mean four other people killed — women, children, elderly, the term doesn’t differentiate.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026
In the film, Efira plays Marie-Lou, who runs a care facility outside Paris and pushes for gentler treatment of its elderly residents.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of elderly

Adjective

Although there are plenty of books in three languages (Arabic, French, and English), there are also museums, a planetarium, and a lab dedicated to restoring and preserving ancient manuscripts.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Sep. 2026
Unlike the other four, it was not protected as an ancient monument because it was believed to have been lost.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of ancient

Adjective

Michael Strain, director of economic policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, a center-right think tank, said Trump would be repeating the same policy mistake as his predecessor, Democratic former President Joe Biden.

— BILL BARROW, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
In a warm-up game against South African club side The Sharks, legendary former New Zealand centre Ma’a Nonu, now 44 years old, was playing for the home side.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of former

Noun

Her sculpture, cast in bronze and patinated with lapis lazuli blue—a pigment used in in north Africa, the Middle East, and Europe since antiquity—will remain in place for two years.

— News Desk, Artforum, 10 Sep. 2026
The idea that the object of a constitution is the common good dates to antiquity.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of antiquity

Adjective

Luckily, my job involves investigating which anti-aging products are worth buying, and right now, my focus is on Eight Saints Up the Anti Night Cream.

— Melony Forcier, InStyle, 10 Sep. 2026
Someone researching the best anti-aging cream for their needs can identify the active associated with firmness, look at the available evidence, and see how Okoaskin describes the finished formula.

— Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of aging

Adjective

James Wolk has been tapped for a recurring role on the upcoming 23rd season of the venerable ABC medical drama.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026
Busy schedules at venues of every size, particularly the venerable clubs and halls that help give Chicago its local flavor.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of venerable

Adjective

But some of Jentleson’s erstwhile allies on the left are less sanguine about his project.

— Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2026
Last year, The Studio won nine awards at the erstwhile Creative Arts Emmys, added four more on the main telecast, and thus set the record for most awards won in a single year by a comedy series.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of erstwhile

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old

old countries

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

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Synonyms of old

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Synonyms of old

adjective

noun

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