Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective archaic differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of archaic are ancient, antiquated, antique, obsolete, old, and venerable. While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time.

the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period

When could ancient be used to replace archaic?

The meanings of ancient and archaic largely overlap; however, ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past.

ancient accounts of dragons

In what contexts can antiquated take the place of archaic?

The words antiquated and archaic can be used in similar contexts, but antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

antiquated teaching methods

When is it sensible to use antique instead of archaic?

Although the words antique and archaic have much in common, antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time.

collected antique Chippendale furniture

When is obsolete a more appropriate choice than archaic?

While in some cases nearly identical to archaic, 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 archaic?

The words old and archaic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence.

old houses
an old sweater of mine

Where would venerable be a reasonable alternative to archaic?

The synonyms venerable and archaic 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 archaic While all this might’ve been archaic compared to the digital systems used in the latest passenger planes, the Comet was cutting-edge in 1952. Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2025 But here comes The Naked Gun, unabashedly crude and stupid and brilliant and weird and obvious and current and archaic and, finally, fall-out-of-your-seat-and-roll-on-the-floor hilarious. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 July 2025 The archaic languages and blue envelope bills died in House Ways and Means. State House News Service, Boston Herald, 26 July 2025 Fresh meat was far from the only thing on the menu, according to a growing body of research that has revealed our archaic cousins ate a varied diet that included pulses and shellfish. Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for archaic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for archaic
Adjective
  • Airbnb co-founder @jgebbia is working with @DOGE to digitize the government's antiquated retirement process — which is literally housed in 22,000 filing cabinets in a Pennsylvania cave.
    Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Similarly, with the industry under fire, there’s a strong incentive to chip away at antiquated laws that mostly protect entrenched incumbents at the expense of consumers and business innovators.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Your current playbook will become obsolete.
    Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Simple no-cost steps include turning on Night Shift, while buying blue light glasses is a relatively inexpensive alternative to investing in a costly new eye-friendly display that NaturaSynth may one day make obsolete.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Families love Split for its walkable Old Town, beaches, and ferry access to islands like Hvar and Korčula, where kids can swim while grandparents explore medieval towns.
    Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
  • And yes, medieval culture produced apocalyptic thinking.
    Big Think, Big Think, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • While Canada plays host to fascinating megafauna spanning from the polar bear to the gray wolf to the muskox, there’s one park in particular that offers a deep dive into the nation’s prehistoric past.
    Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
  • According to Hamilton’s study, freely roaming bison in Yellowstone National Park—the only place in the lower 48 where bison have continuously free-ranged since prehistoric times—play a pivotal role in the ecosystem.
    Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 29 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Archaic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archaic. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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