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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Colors take center stage, embedding references to the paintings and glasswork in European churches, the hues of the natural landscape in China’s Dunhuang county, as well as to the iconography and embroideries from the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern dynasties in ancient China.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
13 Jan. 2026
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The documentary follows the chief through the months leading up to his inauguration, an event that draws more than 300 people from around the world representing Scotland’s ancient clans.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In the short term, freezing temperatures are expected one night this weekend, so the ground may at least get a little frost.—
Julia James,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Before sunset, cover cold-sensitive plants with frost cloth or sheets to retain heat radiated from the soil.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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It will be replaced by an episode of the venerable crime drama that had been slated for the following Thursday, January 22.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
12 Jan. 2026
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The best original score category has a long and venerable history at the Globes.—
Paul Grein,
Billboard,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
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Come late January or early February, Denver could be down its defensive coordinator, a whiz-kid offensive mind, and a slightly older whiz-kid defensive mind.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
10 Jan. 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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The quaint city suffered very little damage during World War II, meaning its distinctly medieval structures have managed to remain intact over the years.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
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Take the quiz here … LEGENDARY LISTING – Jaw-dropping medieval castle with 100 rooms hits market with nearly 1,000 years of history.—
,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The historic downtown is full of antique mining relics and quirky businesses.—
Jen Murphy,
Outside,
7 Jan. 2026
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Instead, they will be curated over time with vintage and antique moments that tell a story.—
Sophie Aliece Hollis,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hoar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoar. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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