Synonyms of archaic

archaic

adjective

är-ˈkā-ik 

as in antiquated

having passed its time of use or usefulness

the company needs to update its archaic computer system

Synonyms & Similar Words

• antiquated
• obsolete
• medieval
• prehistoric
• prehistorical
• dated
• outmoded
• outdated
• rusty
• ancient
• old
• useless
• neolithic
• mediaeval
• out-of-date
• expired
• outworn
• antique
• discarded
• fossilized
• defunct
• moribund
• mossy
• superannuated
• Stone Age
• historical
• historic
• aging
• vintage
• passé
• late
• retro
• extinct
• démodé
• dead
• obsolescent
• ageing
• Noachian
• kaputt
• unusable
• unworkable
• moth-eaten
• demoded
• disused
• past
• antediluvian
• vanished
• kaput
• aged
• venerable
• fusty
• old-fashioned
• inoperable
• latent
• inert
• free
• dormant
• idle
• former
• hoary
• musty
• inoperative
• old-time
• inactive
• atavistic
• bygone
• old-world
• erstwhile
• fallow
• age-old
• dateless
• oldfangled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• modern
• new
• current
• contemporary
• recent
• present-day
• up-to-date
• newfangled
• fresh
• ultramodern
• mod
• modernized
• new-fashioned
• up-to-the-minute
• functional
• operational
• workable
• operating
• operable
• active
• operative
• functioning
• renewed
• busy
• employed
• refurbished
• remodeled
• alive

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When is obsolete a more appropriate choice than archaic?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

Recent Examples of archaic

Journalists and rights groups, who have long publicized worker abuse in the kingdom, have often blamed its persistence on archaic Saudi labor laws. —Kiana Hayeri, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2025

Executing on it will be more complicated because the entire system is based on archaic policies and principles. —Dan Gingiss, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025

The chain gang will still be on the field as a backup option, but the archaic measuring system will no longer be the primary way to determine a first down or not on close plays. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025

That would have been necessary in the technologically archaic Cohen building — absent the existential question now hovering over the networks. —David Folkenflik, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025