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
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This ancient Chinese practice, now widely used throughout the world, involves insertion of very thin needles into specific points on the skin to treat disease and alleviate pain.—
Dr. Patricia Richard,
Hartford Courant,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Indeed, this phenomenon is used to great effect by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to see ancient and distant galaxies.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Monday's highs are only in the 50s, and frost or freeze advisories are possible by Tuesday morning with lows in the mid-30s, which is the average low in early December.—
Bill Kelly,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Shohei Ohtani took his turn keeping the frost on the New York Mets on Wednesday night, holding them to two hits over six innings as the Dodgers completed a three-game sweep with a 8-2 victory.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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After serving as custodian of NBC’s late-night for years, George Cheeks, Paramount’s Chair of TV Media who oversees CBS, became the executive who last year canceled CBS’ venerable late-night franchise The Late Show.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
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Since its founding in 1838, Green-Wood Cemetery’s permanent residents have lain among the hills of Brooklyn, their tranquility guarded by elaborate statuary, venerable trees, and sumptuous tombs.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The rules generally wouldn't apply to children, people 65 or older, or people with disabilities or serious health issues.—
Samantha Liss,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
At Kingfisher Bar & Grill, a higher-volume restaurant with slightly older clientele, setting expectations is important.—
Jaia Clingham-David,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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That hoary image remains compelling.—
Sam Lipsyte,
Curbed,
15 Dec. 2025
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The most common species of bats found in Grand Teton National Park are little brown bats, followed by big brown, silver-haired, hoary, Yuma, long-legged, and long-eared bats, the agency said.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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An ancient Turkish name, Aslan was also used as a title for medieval Turkic rulers.—
Lydia Wang,
Parents,
12 Apr. 2026
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Among gravesites and crooked slabs, this medieval tapestry of bell towers, vaulted corridors, and sacred frescoes whispered tales of faith and persecution.—
Marlise Kast-Myers,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Every element had been carefully considered, Tabitha noted, the suave austerity of the Wassily chairs orbited by antique rugs and estate-sale paintings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
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Ray Griffith, a Chesterton resident, said that the new fee would be unfair to him as the owner of trailers and antique cars.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hoar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoar. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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