hoary

adjective

ˈhȯr-ē How to pronounce hoary (audio)
Definition of hoarynext
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

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 hoary 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 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 Ultimately, everyone’s happiness is denied, which makes for a cautionary critique of the hoary cliché of 1950s repression (the same falsification that was the basis of Todd Haynes’s drab lesbian drama Carol, starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara). — Armond White, National Review, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hoary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoary
  1. ancient
  2. venerable
  3. old
  4. antique
  5. medieval
Adjective
  • These fashion houses interpreted the pearls as decorative elements with both ancient and ultramodern appeal.
    — Selene Oliva, Glamour, 13 July 2026
  • Elizabeth Pupo-Walker on percussion, who found an old ancient rusted paper cutter at Concord and loved the sound of it, so that’s on there at the beginning off .
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 13 July 2026
Definition of ancient
Adjective
  • The venerable soul food restaurant is a tourist destination in its own right, with six dining rooms and capacity for 300 guests.
    — Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 11 July 2026
  • This second installment represents the venerable anthology franchise’s height of humor, invention, and variety.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
Definition of venerable
Adjective
  • Meek, a 10-year-old Black girl, is grappling with her fears of nuclear Armageddon as more prosaic domestic concerns kick into high gear.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • However, that is changing as the US Department of Defense seeks more robust, less vulnerable power systems for military satellites that are less hazardous than the older spacecraft powered by uranium and plutonium.
    — David Szondy July 07, New Atlas, 8 July 2026
Definition of old
Adjective
  • Its lacy layers, flutter sleeves, and antique white color also lend it enough charisma to play the leading role in a fairy tale.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 11 July 2026
  • To the right of the sink is a Thermador double oven, while on an adjacent wall is an island with an antique brick facade and a four-burner cooktop next to a stainless steel countertop.
    — Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2026
Definition of antique
Adjective
  • Self-mortifying pamagdarame rituals, including whipping and crucifixion, likewise have roots in medieval Christian tradition.
    — H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 10 July 2026
  • Around a two-hour drive from here lies the beautiful medieval city of Limoges that’s famed for its leather.
    — James Rampton, TheWeek, 9 July 2026
Definition of medieval

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hoarse
hoary
hoax
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Cite this Entry

“Hoary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoary. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of hoary for Spanish Speakers

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