old-school

adjective

ˈōl(d)-ˌskül How to pronounce old-school (audio)
Definition of old-schoolnext
1
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
2
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 Long dominated by the usual suspects in the Western Conference, the league saw an old-school Eastern power reemerge in the New York Knicks, winners of their first title in 53 years. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 July 2026 Was this one of those old-school tricks that's actually legitimate—or just another DIY myth that went viral on social media? — Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 25 July 2026 The party took an old-school turn when Charlie Wilson treated fans to a medley of solo hits and Gap Band classics. — Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 July 2026 An openly gay man in Catholic Italy as well as an old-school romantic, Visconti was cinema’s great poet of impossible loves. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for old-school
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old-school
  1. vintage
  2. traditional
  3. retro
  4. conservative
  5. antique
  6. orthodox
  7. antiquated
  8. old-time
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
  • Those include boys cross country, wrestling (duals or traditional), tennis and golf and girls cross country, cheerleading (competition or gameday), flag football, tennis and golf.
    — Chip Saye, AJC.com, 30 July 2026
  • In 2012, China occupied Scarborough Shoal, a traditional Filipino fishing ground inside the Philippines’ EEZ, endangering the lives of Philippine personnel and fishermen in the process.
    — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of traditional
Adjective
  • Young people fluttered about, wearing custom white T-shirts emblazoned with the festival’s retro cartoon-style poster art.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
  • With a retro California-surf-town aesthetic and easy-going, dog-friendly vibe, Pacific Point Resort makes for a scenic and satisfying stay, whether for a weekend or a quick pop-in while traveling between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
    — Rebecca R. Norris, USA Today, 29 July 2026
Definition of retro
Adjective
  • Hosted by Kennedy himself, The Real Food Showfollows the controversial conservative politician on a culinary expedition across the country.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 July 2026
  • Many of those nonprofits are tied to conservative political organizations.
    — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 31 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
  • Some guardrail injuries result from antiquated designs, or designs that manufacturers know to be dangerous.
    — Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
  • But Merrywood’s charms, both elegant and antiquated, might face the wrecking ball later this year.
    — Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2026
Definition of antiquated
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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Cite this Entry

“Old-school.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old-school. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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