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as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest even the most stirring speeches start to get old after you've heard them a few times

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

old

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noun

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an old woman
an elderly woman
an octogenarian woman
a senior woman
a grandmotherly woman
an elder woman
an old house
an outdated house
an obsolete house
a previous house
a former house
an earlier house
old days
ancient days
archaic days
long-past days
in-those days
simpler days
an old town
a historic town
a classic town
a historical town
an ancient town
an old friend
a longtime friend
a past friend
a familiar friend
a longstanding friend
a previous friend

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective old differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of old are ancient, antiquated, antique, archaic, obsolete, and venerable. While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence.

old houses
an old sweater of mine

When can ancient be used instead of old?

While in some cases nearly identical to old, ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past.

ancient accounts of dragons

When might antiquated be a better fit than old?

In some situations, the words antiquated and old are roughly equivalent. However, antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

antiquated teaching methods

When would antique be a good substitute for old?

The meanings of antique and old largely overlap; however, antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time.

collected antique Chippendale furniture

When is archaic a more appropriate choice than old?

While the synonyms archaic and old are close in meaning, archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time.

the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period

In what contexts can obsolete take the place of old?

The words obsolete and old are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, obsolete may apply to something regarded as no longer acceptable or useful even though it is still in existence.

a computer that makes earlier models obsolete

When is it sensible to use venerable instead of old?

The words venerable and old can be used in similar contexts, but venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age.

the family's venerable patriarch

Examples of old in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Eva and her siblings were raised in Los Angeles Eva is the third oldest of her siblings. Emily Weaver, People.com, 26 Oct. 2024 To make your home a little greener and reduce waste, here are 12 clever ways to repurpose old newspapers in your garden and beyond. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2024
Noun
According to Nielsen, the highest viewing contribution came from 35 to 49 year olds. Katie Campione, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2024 And this audience is only growing — Gen Z is 71% less likely to report good mental health compared to Millennials, and one in three 18-24 year olds experience a mental health condition, up from one in four in 2000. Pat Saperstein, Variety, 14 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for old 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old
Adjective
  • Scientists found mummies covered in ancient cheese By Rachel Feltman Scientists recently found some cheese that’s been developing its funk for a little bit longer than usual: 3,500 years or so.
    Popular Science Staff, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2024
  • The buck proved to be a seven-pointer, an ancient fellow with a main beam of twenty-eight inches, and a spread of thirty-two.
    Jack O’Connor, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The Harris campaign scrambled to rally Latino voters after former president Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden, during which comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made a joke at the expense of the country of Puerto Rico that was poorly received.
    Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Oct. 2024
  • As Trump’s former and proposed policies show, this history has all but been forgotten.
    Ajay K. Mehrotra / Made by History, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • So, our chats about his vision, strategy, and leadership philosophy for the Ferretti Group in the global-hyper-niche-ultra-luxury-yacht building business are never boring.
    Bill Springer, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
  • There’s still so much of this country that is based on the boring parts of governance that the people who show up and speak out can affect.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Now, though, 12 galleries displaying at least 15,000 artifacts each are welcoming 4,000 visitors as part of a trial, according to Egypt’s assistant to the minister of antiquities, Al-Tayeb Abbas.
    George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 1 Nov. 2024
  • The Agora of Smyrna founded in the 4th century B.C. and rebuilt by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius following an earthquake in 178 A.D. was the city’s political and commercial center and is one of the largest antiquities of that type still visible.
    Laurie Werner, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Increasingly, payment processors are embracing a policy of education to help fight scammers, especially among elderly victims.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024
  • The goal of the center is to innovate how elderly people in the U.S. receive healthcare.
    Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • His work as a consultant for USAID followed a venerable tradition of US overseas public service that is also emblematic of the U.S. Peace Corps and numerous American nonprofit organizations as well.
    Saleem H. Ali, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
  • The venerable soap Days of Our Lives will return for a 61st season.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • While Belichick, 72, and Hudson, 24, began dating after his relationship with Holliday ended, their romance made headlines during The Roast of Tom Brady on Netflix in May, when the former Patriots quarterback poked fun at his erstwhile coach.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
  • Carlson’s guest that night was Megyn Kelly, one of his erstwhile Fox News colleagues.
    Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Sofia has taken Francis, and Sal Maroni is right on her heels with a bunch of his goons to give Oz a few whacks with one of his own stupid golf clubs, then down to the trolley station to take over the Bliss operation.
    Andy Andersen, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2024
  • Those in the latter camp are nasty — terrible and stupid!
    Dan Bekerman, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near old

Cite this Entry

“Old.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.

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