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Definition of antiquenext
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antique

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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
For women, there’s a variant with a mesh fabric in colors ranging from antique pink to violet, ice white, and sugar paper. Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 28 May 2026 Continue reading … -- IN OTHER NEWS LOADED QUESTION — Gunmaker lawsuit faces hurdle after Auburn grad allegedly killed with antique revolver. FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
Noun
Far from a typical flea market, Monastiraki offers handmade leather goods, independent artisan crafts, clothing, secondhand books, antiques, traditional tavernas, street performers and historic ruins, all in one walkable space. Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026 Splittstoesser sells antiques next to Langseth's shop. John Lauritsen, CBS News, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for antique
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antique
Adjective
  • Grounding might include a Ku Nye full-body massage inspired by ancient Tibetan healing traditions that stimulates the meridian system, acupressure, kneading, deep-tissue techniques and a Tibetan head massage.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
  • Naadam is described as an ancient cultural spectacle and one of the few opportunities outsiders get to experience Mongolian culture up close.
    Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • Bottega Conticelli objets d’arts from leather and wood include vintage-style steamer trunks that conceal in-suite televisions and fragrant stationery items.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • Page, our master of style, tells us her painting philosophy, her vintage shopping advice, what's next on her DIY list, and her perspective as a first-time homeowner.
    Sarah Everett, The Spruce, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • People, places, images and artifacts can be used to prompt activation.
    Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
  • According to Zhang, if the movement represents a real physical displacement rather than a sensor malfunction or imaging artifact, its performance would be extraordinary.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 31 May 2026
Adjective
  • The moves cap a period of turmoil for the venerable newsmagazine that premiered in 1968 and is known for its ticking stopwatch.
    Jocelyn Noveck, Fortune, 29 May 2026
  • But the accolades came just hours before a major overhaul of the venerable newsmagazine as executive producer Tanya Simon was let go and features journalist Nick Bilton was installed as executive producer.
    Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026
Adjective
  • Some of the 2026 kitchen tile trends include retro rhapsody, organic depth and texture, and eclectic artistry.
    Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
  • Vintage memorabilia, chrome accents, retro booths, and tabletop jukeboxes complete the diner’s unmistakable mid-century atmosphere.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Midwest Living, 31 May 2026
Noun
  • This relic from the past sewed together the 116-foot diameter panels that covered an area of roughly 16,000 square feet.
    Pat Maio, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
  • Once considered delightfully kitschy relics of suburban Americana, porch geese are waddling their way back into the spotlight.
    Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • Underneath the Lincoln Memorial is what's known as the memorial's Undercroft (a term usually reserved for the vaulted basement of a medieval castle or cathedral).
    CBS News, CBS News, 31 May 2026
  • An Israeli flag flies over the medieval Beaufort Castle, known locally as Qalaat al-Shaqif or Shaqif Arnoun, as seen from the Marjayoun area of southern Lebanon on Sunday.
    Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 31 May 2026
Adjective
  • Everything was building over the past two years, from the historic in-season overhaul two seasons ago to the high-profile additions ahead of the March trade deadline, towards a championship run this spring.
    Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
  • So that’s just historic and incredible and really is so newsworthy to be, why to go in 2026.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 30 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Antique.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antique. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

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