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

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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

The trio, each of whom has completely opposing personas, of course, set out on a road trip from New York City to Los Angeles in a vintage Cadillac to attend the Drag Queen of America pageant.

— Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 26 July 2026
The French Laundry has assembled a remarkable collection of rare and vintage spirits, including Scotch whisky, bourbon, Cognac, Armagnac and Chartreuse.

— Yuri Shima, Forbes.com, 26 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

For the event, Vitale slipped into a sleeveless minidress in antique yellow.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 25 July 2026
Keep in mind, too, that thrift stores generally operate on a donation basis, whereas antique stores may operate on consignment, adds Jennifer Johnson, the owner of True Fashionistas, the largest lifestyle resale and consignment store in Florida.

— Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 25 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

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“Old-school.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old-school. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of old-school

adjective

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