as in ancient
dating or surviving from the distant past
the hoar and crumbling stones of ruined temples
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Recent Examples of hoar
Brandi D. Addison, IndyStar, 4 Dec. 2025
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
There are many different kinds of frost: crystalline (hoar) frost, white frost, black frost, advection frost, and the frost that forms on glass windows, to name a few.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023
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
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
YESTERDAY’S WORD — ANCHORS acorn arch arson nacho nosh cash chaos char corn crash hoar hora horn orach orca racon ranch rash roach roan scan scar scorn shorn soar sonar sora
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com.
—Kathleen Saxe, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2017
But sometimes the crystals grow particularly large, forming hoar frost.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 24 Jan. 2014
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
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
There are many different kinds of frost: crystalline (hoar) frost, white frost, black frost, advection frost, and the frost that forms on glass windows, to name a few.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023
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
YESTERDAY’S WORD — ANCHORS acorn arch arson nacho nosh cash chaos char corn crash hoar hora horn orach orca racon ranch rash roach roan scan scar scorn shorn soar sonar sora
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com.
—Kathleen Saxe, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2017
But sometimes the crystals grow particularly large, forming hoar frost.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 24 Jan. 2014
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoar
Adjective
-
Clouds is the first luxury retreat for visitors to this national park—a more ancient and biodiverse ecosystem than the Virunga Mountains, inhabited by Rwanda and Congo’s gorilla population.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
-
Images of the shelter slipped the Russian choke hold to appear on the world’s screens—intact and unbowed amid the rubble, like a temple time-transported from some more ancient siege, the faces of those within drained but resolute.—
James Verini,
The Atlantic,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Many of these crops can be sown six to eight weeks before the last expected frost in your region, but exact timing depends on your local climate.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
13 May 2026
-
These cold-hardy crops are the backbone of an early spring garden, capable of withstanding light frosts and continuing to produce as temperatures slowly warm.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Teagan plans to begin with the venerable piggy bank, with its easy-in slot and lock-protected door.—
byDoug Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
11 May 2026
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Allen recorded the project at Austin’s venerable Arlyn Studios, with renowned guitarist — and mentor to Allen — Charlie Sexton co-producing along with Jacob Sciba.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
4 May 2026
Adjective
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Most of them were spent on the third defensive pairing, and then the 22-year-old was scratched for Tyson Hinds late in the year as Quenneville favored the size of Hinds, who spent most of his season in the American Hockey League.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
Now imagine moving millions of items, each of them delicate, unique, priceless and old.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Connecticut’s three tree-roosting bat species include the eastern red, silver-haired, and hoary bats.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
22 Apr. 2026
-
That hoary image remains compelling.—
Sam Lipsyte,
Curbed,
15 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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The constellation was known as Al Fakkah to medieval Arabian astronomers, who saw in it a celestial bowl, per the University of Chicago.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
9 May 2026
-
Our stroll began outside the medieval gate—only residents can drive through the stone ramparts—and ended with an aperitif on the square.—
Kevin West,
Travel + Leisure,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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Water Street, the town's main drag, has a smattering of restaurants interspersed with antique shops, but for a bite with a view, check out the popular Dog Watch Cafe overlooking the harbor.—
Amy Thomas,
Travel + Leisure,
12 May 2026
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Renovated in 2023, the traditional Goan style continues in guest rooms with parquet floors, cane weave chairs, antique-style wardrobes with mirrors and headboards, and furnished balconies or terraces.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hoar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoar. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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