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When is obsolete a more appropriate choice than archaic?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 And email remains — unfortunately — at the center of this archaic web. Zak Doffman, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025 Sony introduced a now archaic version of RGB LED tech in 2004, though that version can hardly be compared to today’s displays. Ryan Waniata, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2025 Researchers believe that Pink represents the oldest archaic fossils ever found in this region, according to a study published in Nature on March 12. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2025 In contrast, physicians face static rates constrained by budget-neutrality provisions — archaic rules embedded in a convoluted policy landscape. Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for archaic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for archaic
Adjective
  • As a result, coaches have gone back to including at least one center in their lineups, but many teams have experienced a great deal of success with the double big lineups that were once thought to be antiquated.
    Mat Issa, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • There are a couple reasons why some states and death row inmates are turning to a method that might be seen as antiquated.
    Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Maintaining obsolete systems also consumes time and budget that businesses could invest in high-value strategic initiatives.
    Manuel Sanchez, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The streetcar would move too slowly, carry too few people or too many, be obsolete on opening day, cost too much, and trigger gentrification.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Also, the pass includes several mountain excursions and free admission to more than 500 museums throughout Switzerland. Not to be missed is the medieval town of Gruyères about 80 miles from Geneva.
    Jeryl Brunner, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The stakes of the story become ever more human-on-human, with zombies largely relegated to one epic battle that sits at the cinematic junction of western, medieval and samurai.
    Mike Hale, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Well, a team of scientists unearthed ancient footprints that offer insight into how various prehistoric animals lived as far back as 50 million years.
    Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Before boarding the barge in Inverness, travelers can visit Culloden Moor, the scene of the famous 1746 battle, a pivotal moment in Outlander and Clava Cairns, the burial site of a prehistoric clan chieftain, widely believed to have inspired the standing stones of Craigh na Dun in the series.
    Emese Maczko, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Archaic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/archaic. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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