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When is obsolete a more appropriate choice than archaic?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 Likely, cities and counties have archaic provisions, especially concerning rules around government structure, said Clark Kelso, a professor at the University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law. Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2025 Qualified people who could be priests except for archaic laws that no longer serve us continue to wait to be invited into the ranks of those who have been ordained. Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2025 Where most of us see a wonderfully unique and charming home with room for improvement, Petitti sees an archaic structure in desperate need of a refresh. Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 20 Aug. 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
  • While traditional wisdom may say to avoid white linen pants after Labor Day, fashion-forward travelers ditched that antiquated rule years ago.
    Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 2025
  • So there is nothing to displace the antiquated image of a pyramid of boxes that remains implanted in our brains.
    Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Take-home tests and essays are becoming obsolete.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
  • By learning from these craftspeople, AIs can now replace them in offering advice, thus threatening to render the original human experts obsolete.
    Andrew R. Chow, Time, 12 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
  • Research conducted at Zvejnieki has often challenged longheld assumptions about gender roles in prehistoric Europe.
    Sarah Durn, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Towering over its modern relatives, this prehistoric predator was not only the largest species of lion ever recorded, but also one of the top apex predators of the Ice Age.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Archaic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archaic. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on archaic

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