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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of old
Emerson Clarridge
updated February 17, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Feb. 2026
Now, Bogaerts, who still keeps tabs on his old team, watches clips of Rafaela being a human highlight reel at his old stomping grounds with pride.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 18 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for old
Adjective
One of the defendants, Benjamin Song, a 32-year-old former Marine Corps reservist who associates described to authorities as a cult-like ringleader who opposes the government on immigration enforcement and on other matters, shot Alvarado Police Department Lt.
—Emerson Clarridge
updated February 17, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Feb. 2026
Now, Bogaerts, who still keeps tabs on his old team, watches clips of Rafaela being a human highlight reel at his old stomping grounds with pride.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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
See All Example Sentences for old
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old
Adjective
-
Instead, he is now set to go free after being granted elderly parole — much to the anger and horror of some of his victims, as well as the prosecutor who oversaw his case.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
-
For our littlest kids, this might mean patting the back of a worried friend, waving to an elderly neighbor, or breaking a cookie in half to share with a younger brother.—
Catherine Newman,
Parents,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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On Monday, hundreds of millions of viewers witnessed an unprecedented fusion of ancient tradition and cutting-edge robotics at the 2026 China Media Group Spring Festival Gala.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Scientists believe the geology of Mars may hold valuable clues about past ancient life, and so the robotic vehicles, controlled remotely from Earth, have slowly navigated the rocky terrain to scoop up and collect intriguing samples.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The winning bid for the rare card was placed by venture capitalist AJ Scaramucci, the son of former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The Sun Belt is the only real exception, having now defined itself as FBS’ actual Southeastern conference, partly by losing its former oddballs like Idaho and New Mexico State.—
Jason Kirk,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Endless gastronomic delights, diverse architecture, and neighborhoods packed with character ensure visitors have everything but a boring trip to the large coastal metropolis.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Who says neutrals have to be boring?—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Finding physical proof, however, that confirms such recipes were prepared and used to treat actual ailments in antiquity is rare.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In the heart of Berlin, Museum Island unfolds as a grand cultural ensemble where five world-class institutions trace the arc of human creativity from antiquity to the 19th century.—
Melinda Sheckells,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Having held senior positions in academia and European financial institutions, he was appointed deputy governor of the Bulgarian central bank in Sofia in 2023.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Attorneys for a former senior aide to City Councilman Curren Price who says she was wrongfully fired for being a whistleblower will get to depose a Price staff member early next month, a judge ruled on Wednesday.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And among the supporting players, Woods is the most game of the wacky relatives, Qualley’s a hoot as an antagonistic presence, and Camp, a venerable character actor who’s always a great sight to see, is pretty much the heart of the movie.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
-
After penning an ode to Minneapolis and making a surprise three-song appearance at First Avenue last month, Bruce Springsteen will kick off a new tour across the street from the venerable Minneapolis nightclub at Target Center.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Directed and co-written by Alexandre Rockwell, the film follows an aspiring filmmaker (Steve Buscemi) who falls in with an irresistibly charming gangster (Seymour Cassel, who won Sundance’s first acting award) as his erstwhile producer.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
La Dolce Vita and the Minerva, which occupies the erstwhile palazzo of 17th-century aristocrats, debuted last April.—
Adam Erace,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Old.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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