Synonyms of archaic

archaic

adjective

är-ˈkā-ik 

as in obsolete

having passed its time of use or usefulness

the company needs to update its archaic computer system

Synonyms & Similar Words

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• outdated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• out-of-date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When is obsolete a more appropriate choice than archaic?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

Trump’s 60-day suspension gives Congress the cover to repeal the archaic shipping law. —Editorial Board, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2026

Granted, these creatives still need to contend with archaic royalty structures and the complications of streaming payouts, but not everyone is cut out to be an Alicia Keys or an Ed Sheeran (two artists whose songs were performed at the Disney Aulani resort, where the episode was taped). —Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026

Look to bedside lamps with a historic twist, like the banker’s lamps found in archaic libraries. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026

That archaic system badly needs updating, both of these airlines have told us. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026