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noun

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

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

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 antique
Adjective
The show features dozens of antique engines and tractors along with live demonstrations ranging from blacksmithing, glass blowing and weaving to farming demonstrations. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025 The five rooms have terra-cotta or hardwood floors, exposed beams, and antique furniture. Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 24 June 2025
Noun
The Belgian master of minimalism and wabi-sabi forever changed the design of sofas, and his way with rough-hewn wood furniture and beams, pale linen, an earthy palette, and a masterful blending of East and West and antique and contemporary are now canonized among professionals. Amy Astley, Architectural Digest, 25 June 2025 The designer invited guests to St. Marylebone Jobcentre, where one floor was dedicated to the show and another was turned into a street market with stalls selling T-shirts, magazines, antiques and accessories. Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 15 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for antique
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antique
Adjective
  • Scientists can deduce historic oxygen levels by analyzing ancient rocks (like Banded Iron Formations) because their chemical composition depend on the amount of oxygen available when they were formed.
    David Bressan, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • The theory of natural selection persevered, and the lengthy record of our ancient roots began to fill out.
    Laura Poppick, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Julianne Jordan supervised the recording, and David Newman — whose family roots go back to 1930s Hollywood and who specializes in vintage film music restoration and bygone performance techniques — conducted.
    Tim Greiving, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2025
  • One reader loves to give vintage deviled egg plates, paired with a small jar of fancy mustard or a little jar of pickles in a cute bag.
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Admission is free, and visitors can explore the museum’s collection of more than 350 vehicles and missiles plus thousands of artifacts.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 23 June 2025
  • The series follows collectors in search of unique artifacts in small towns and back roads throughout the United States.
    Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • The book, published by the venerable San Francisco press, takes a look at the changes people made during the COVID-19 lockdowns and offers a cautiously hopeful view of humanity going forward.
    Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 25 June 2025
  • The chain grew quickly in the wake of the 2013 demise of Dominick’s, a venerable Chicago grocer, which was shuttered by its parent company, Safeway.
    Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • With Low Life, the streamer appears to be leaning into retro noir stylings and anti-hero dynamics, aiming to replicate the international appeal of Big Bet and Narco-Saints.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2025
  • Amid all the showmanship on Thursday, hosted by a faux Austin Powers, there will be retro music and dancing.
    Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • What Forecast Probability Might Look Like In 2040 By 2040, the familiar single-number percentage forecast may feel like a relic.
    Jim Foerster, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Is this experience a relic or replica of a bygone age?
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • Carved into chalk more than 1,600 years ago, the vaulted caverns at Taittinger stretch nearly 60 feet underground, their walls layered with remnants of Roman quarries, medieval crypts and Benedictine abbey foundations.
    Rachel King, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • On Thursday night, celebrities gathered for a kick-off event at the medieval Madonna dell’Orto cloister.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • The San Juan Center purchased another piece of the historic block late last year at 1301 Main, known for its former tenant, Salvin Shoes.
    Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2025
  • The film opens with astronaut Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks) hosting a watch party in July 1969 for Neil Armstrong's historic first walk on the Moon.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 29 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Antique.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antique. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

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