as in ancient
dating or surviving from the distant past
hoary oak trees with dripping moss and gnarled limbs shaded us from the sun
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hoary
Since Trump is not a Red-baiter, Clooney must adjust his hoary defense of the Democratic Party to fit the left’s new partisanship.
—
Armond White, National Review, 30 Apr. 2025
Forget that hoary old prophecy about the kid who'll bring balance to the Force.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Sometimes a good story or excellent execution can overcome hoary material.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 6 Apr. 2025
The question of whether civilian control over the U.S. military is in crisis is an especially hoary debate in security studies.
—Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2021
See All Example Sentences for hoary
Armond White, National Review, 30 Apr. 2025
Forget that hoary old prophecy about the kid who'll bring balance to the Force.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Sometimes a good story or excellent execution can overcome hoary material.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 6 Apr. 2025
The question of whether civilian control over the U.S. military is in crisis is an especially hoary debate in security studies.
—Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2021
See All Example Sentences for hoary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoary
Adjective
-
Its sheer red sandstone cliffs, carved over millions of years, cradle ancient cliff dwellings and rock art that tell stories of the ancestral Puebloans.—
Alia Beard Rau,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
In his younger years, Jacobs would have hunted in ancient forests, now known only to our imaginations—old-growth stands of hemlock, pine, oak, and chestnut, with trees standing more than a hundred feet tall and nearly four hundred years old.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
The moves cap a period of turmoil for the venerable newsmagazine that premiered in 1968 and is known for its ticking stopwatch.—
Jocelyn Noveck,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
-
But the accolades came just hours before a major overhaul of the venerable newsmagazine as executive producer Tanya Simon was let go and features journalist Nick Bilton was installed as executive producer.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
While a few of the old hunters were wistful about the memory of the large mammals, others saw extirpation as necessary progress.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
-
The 24-year-old’s burning desire, elite athleticism, and an electrifying season at Triple-A Albuquerque busted down the big-league door.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
It’s made from iron, has an antique-looking bronze finish, and is designed with a cut-out floral pattern for a touch of flair.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
9 June 2026
-
In Turpentine, after her son hires friends to steal the family’s antique gun collection to pay off a debt, a mother steps in to clean up the mess, triggering a chain of events that stretch the family bond to its limit.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
Time periods are not clear, but the tales seem to range from medieval times to contemporary settings.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
-
Its 23 spacious rooms and suites, all with terraces or private gardens, have spectacular sea views and are nestled into a ridge overlooking a secluded cove near the medieval hilltop village of Ramatuelle.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hoary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoary. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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