hoar 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhȯr How to pronounce hoar (audio)
Definition of hoarnext
as in ancient
dating or surviving from the distant past the hoar and crumbling stones of ruined temples

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hoar

2 of 2

noun

as in frost
a covering of tiny ice crystals on a cold surface the hoar-covered meadow gleamed in the early-morning sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 hoar
Adjective
Terms like graupel, rime ice, and hoar frost describe specific ways ice and frost form on surfaces and in the air. — Brandi D. Addison, IndyStar, 4 Dec. 2025 Surface hoar is created when water vapor is deposited on the snow surface, like dew. — Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2024 The hidden layer of fragile surface hoar, with facets playing a contributing role, is now the failure point for large and unpredictable slabs of snow. — Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2024 During cold weather the moisture precipitates out of the air onto every branch and willow bush, coating them in a layer of hoar frost. — Seth Adams, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 May 2023
Noun
The hoar frost made the trees sparkle as though Earthquake Park were contained in a snow globe. — Alli Harvey, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Jan. 2022 Furthermore, the clear conditions preceding the storm could have led to the formation of a layer of light, feathery frost, known as surface hoar. — Douglas Preston, The New Yorker, 10 May 2021 But sometimes the crystals grow particularly large, forming hoar frost. — Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 24 Jan. 2014
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoar
  1. ancient
  2. frost
  3. venerable
  4. old
  5. hoary
  6. medieval
  7. antique
Adjective
  • The company’s Orick sawmill began operating in 1954 and processed ancient redwoods for 55 years before closing in October 2009.
    — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
  • The disaster also prompted the study of ancient floods as a way to gauge how common large flash floods are in specific areas — a field called paleoflood hydrology.
    — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 27 July 2026
Definition of ancient
Noun
  • Researchers think the moon is blanketed by porous layers of volcanic ash, sulfur frost and other eruptive debris that continually resurface Io, burying older terrain beneath fresh deposits.
    — Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 24 July 2026
  • Wait until a few weeks after the last frost in your area so the soil will be warm enough.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 24 July 2026
Definition of frost
Adjective
  • There's no shortage of high-end vehicles to drive these days and venerable automakers are competing to produce the greatest, most luxurious and flashiest status symbols.
    — Morgan Korn, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • Dhani Harrison, the son of George Harrison, and venerable producer Nigel Godrich have formed a new duo.
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 22 July 2026
Definition of venerable
Adjective
  • Unlike my original e-bike, the Huffy includes metal fenders, a metal chain guard, and a battery that can charge in or out of the bike - all for a third of the price of my old bike.
    — William Roberson, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Tyler James Feehan shared memories of the 25-year-old who was killed on July 17 as a result of Iranian strikes on Jordan.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of old
Adjective
  • Clichés and hoary tropes abound.
    — James Parker, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
  • Fourth walls are shattered, hoary tropes are dismantled, the body count climbs and a joke gets thrown in about the endless supply of Wayanses ready to keep the franchise going.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
Definition of hoary
Adjective
  • In medieval literature the dragon’s refusal to share its wealth symbolizes chaos, greed, and the social harm caused when valuable resources are removed from circulation.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026
  • The town served as a Genoese naval outpost during the medieval rivalry with Pisa, and the hotel’s arched colonnades of the original cloister still stand atop rooms that face Palmaria Island or the Gulf itself.
    — Jason Phillips, USA Today, 22 July 2026
Definition of medieval
Adjective
  • For the event, Vitale slipped into a sleeveless minidress in antique yellow.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 25 July 2026
  • Keep in mind, too, that thrift stores generally operate on a donation basis, whereas antique stores may operate on consignment, adds Jennifer Johnson, the owner of True Fashionistas, the largest lifestyle resale and consignment store in Florida.
    — Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 25 July 2026
Definition of antique

Browse Nearby Words

hoagies
hoar
hoard
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hoar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoar. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of sultry

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All