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Definition of oldnext
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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

old

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noun

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
Within a week of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance earlier this year, two notes purportedly written by the 84-year-old’s abductors were sent to local news outlets. John Miller, CNN Money, 24 June 2026 In fact, the 66-year-old star made his Broadway debut in the original production of A Few Good Men as a replacement cast member and understudy. Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026
Noun
The 32-year-old struggled dramatically in his latest outing Sunday, failing to record an out against Colorado and giving up three hits, including a two-RBI single. Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026 Two 19-year-olds and a 20-year-old inside the Kia Soul driven by Carbo were injured in the crash, according to state police. Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for old
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old
Adjective
  • Authorities are notably worried about people living in the baking streets, and elderly people in nursing homes or isolated in their homes.
    CBS News, CBS News, 21 June 2026
  • Authorities are notably worried about people living in the streets and elderly people in nursing homes or isolated in their homes.
    Angela Charlton, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • In a macro picture, retirement at 65 is becoming an ancient concept.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 24 June 2026
  • Archaeologists uncovered two alabaster kohl containers with traces of ancient eye makeup and a third kohl container crafted from black obsidian.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • Illapa Sairitupac, Democratic New York State assembly candidate, from left, Zohran Mamdani, mayor of New York, and Brad Lander, former New York City comptroller and US Democratic House candidate for New York, campaign during a primary election in New York, US, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
    Dan Mangan, CNBC, 24 June 2026
  • Cendejas is a partner at the Strategy Group and has worked with several notable winning political campaigns, including San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and Wahab’s first run for Senate against former Fremont Mayor Lily Mei in 2022.
    Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • Sometimes safe and boring can be a winning strategy.
    Nina Bambysheva, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
  • The cause can be something as simple as a lack of water or more complex, like fungal wilt diseases, tomato wilt viruses, walnut toxicity, or boring insects.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 17 June 2026
Noun
  • Hit history doc-series Apocalypse is heading to antiquity for its next installment with a focus on the Battle of Actium which laid the foundations for the birth of the Roman Empire.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 16 June 2026
  • Although the theme of the collection is rooted in antiquity, many of the jewels also took inspiration from modern art such as the ’80s Memphis Movement or, in the case of the hieroglyphic clips, Frank Stella’s geometric shapes and bold colors of the ’70s.
    Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • In keeping with that, the latest face serums and creams are pivoting away from anti-aging and directly toward longevity.
    Deanna Pai, Vogue, 18 June 2026
  • The 2026 systematic review didn’t identify qualifying human trials supporting the anti-aging pitch that celebrity marketing leans on.
    Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • That exceeds the payload capacity of both the B-2 and B-21 and even surpasses the venerable B-52 in several mission configurations.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 June 2026
  • The British luxury marque has just unveiled a new variant of its venerable grand tourer called the Bespoke Series by Mulliner.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • The erstwhile New York resident was loudly and vigorously booed by the hometown crowd as he was shown on the jumbotron of the legendary arena.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 8 June 2026
  • Despite his meltdown in Colorado’s extra-inning loss to Milwaukee Friday night, the erstwhile starter has been one of baseball’s best relievers this season.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 7 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Old.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

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