OLD-SCHOOL Synonyms: 155 Similar and Opposite Words

old-school

adjective

ˈōl(d)-ˌskül

Definition of old-school

as in vintage

pleasantly reminiscent of an earlier time an old-school romantic comedy in which the two leads don't jump into bed at the first opportunity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in traditional

tending to favor established ideas, conditions, or institutions an old-school gentleman who opened doors and pulled out chairs for women

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 old-school Three of them — Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews and Phil Niekro — are old-school legends. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 22 July 2026 Tom James brings an old-school mentality to the world of suits. — Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 21 July 2026 The 48-year-old princess stunned on the red carpet in a champagne Elie Saab gown, with a matching clutch from the same designer and old-school Tinseltown curls. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026 Where to Eat and Drink In the heart of downtown, the Mill Falls Marketplace is an old-school retail and dining venue overlooking the historic mill waterfall. — Annie Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for old-school

Recent Examples of Synonyms for old-school

Adjective

An Oregon teenager paid $3 for a vintage uniform worn by one of basketball’s all-time greats.

— Casey Parks, Washington Post, 18 July 2026
Coral necklaces are enjoying a new wave of popularity thanks to the resurgence of vintage aesthetics and, above all, the magnificent jewelry of the 1980s, now highly sought-after at flea markets and specialty shops.

— Selene Oliva, Glamour, 18 July 2026

Definition of vintage

Adjective

The Spanish artist Guitarricadelafuente, known for his modern-meets-traditional folk sounds, made his television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

— Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2026
Beondegi, for example, is a traditional steamed silkworm pupae snack served by street vendors in paper cups.

— Gawon Bae, CNN Money, 23 July 2026

Definition of traditional

Adjective

With her retro-soul rasp and ’60s style aesthetic, the English singer-songwriter, 20, has quickly become one of the biggest breakthrough acts of the year.

— Jeff Nelson, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
The Weather Channel app has added a retro feature that presents real-time data in aesthetics that nod to the brand’s broadcast graphics from the 1980s and 1990s.

— Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of retro

Adjective

The pumps are designed with a delicate almond toe, a conservative high-cut vamp, and a sensible heel, measuring around three inches.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 24 July 2026
Kagan, often seen as a bridge-builder, echoed that approach in her comments Thursday, which followed her testimony before Congress alongside conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett last week on security threats and other issues facing the court.

— Gene Johnson, Fortune, 24 July 2026

Definition of conservative

Adjective

Coupled with the pair’s extensive collection of antique furniture, the result is a shockingly precocious home, one that is mature beyond its years.

— Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 20 July 2026
In recent years, Sestri Levante has gained recognition for its efforts to preserve the leudo, an antique Ligurian vessel, dating from the Middle Ages, that was once used to transport food and wine.

— Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of antique

Adjective

Tens of thousands of ultra-orthodox Jews, sometimes called Haredi, have refused conscription into the Israeli militia on religious grounds.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 14 July 2026
The 28-year-old struggled in Amorim’s 4-3-2-1 system, but Carrick has largely used a more orthodox 4-2-3-1 shape since taking over, making room for Rashford on the left side of the forward line.

— Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of orthodox

Adjective

On just one unchanging set, an old-time concert hall designed by Rachel Hauck and made appropriately ominous, a tiny ensemble enacts a whole Greek tragedy of love and sacrifice that goes from the land of the living to the underworld and back.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 22 July 2026
Beyond the coasters, Cedar Point evokes an old-time Americana spirit as the second-oldest amusement park in the country (the oldest being the delightful Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut).

— Zachary Laks, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2026

Definition of old-time

Browse Nearby Words

olds

old-school

oldster

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Old-school.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old-school. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of old-school

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

parochial

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes