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 But the nightmarish realms of the Further retain their unnerving power, and some of the old-school ghost movie thrills are well done. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026 Winnipeg’s old-school approach to line matching worked spectacularly during most of Rick Bowness’ tenure and again in 2024-25 under Scott Arniel. — Murat Ates, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Galvin Green Galvin Green’s Dean insulating mid layer ($229) brings old-school style and high-tech performance together. — Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Renovations completed in 2009 gave it a modern refresh without sacrificing any of its old-school charm. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 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 apartment blends contemporary pieces with vintage furnishings without turning the home into a gallery.
    — Valentina Lonati, Architectural Digest, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Then, naturally, a vintage cherry-red Cadillac rolled onto the stage.
    — Jesús Triviño Alarcón, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of vintage
Adjective
  • YouTube has been keen to talk up its partnership with the BBC and other British networks during its time in Edinburgh this week, and positioned itself as friend, not foe to the traditional sector.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Perhaps Parton’s most countercultural act was her decision to work and not have children at a time when Reagan’s push for traditional family values took hold of the country.
    — Shima Oliaee, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of traditional
Adjective
  • Sincerity and audacity are not opposing forces but complementary ones in this space, and for writers, retro programmers, and other film fans who came of age after midnight at the movies, Curry’s impact persists as its own kind of religion.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The curvy wood frame and oversized door pulls give the Scandi-centric piece a bit of retro appeal without feeling dated.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of retro
Adjective
  • But that bipartisan effort was immediately panned by conservative groups, and little else has emerged as a serious solution.
    — Ashley Lopez, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Instead, the Supreme Court's conservative majority said the states had brought their lawsuit too early.
    — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of conservative
Adjective
  • Related Articles An antique dealer friends with Dertz later identified it as a missing Picasso that had been stolen from DeLind’s gallery in 2018; a DeLind Fine Art Appraisals sticker was still attached to the back of the frame.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Inside, antique art hangs on walls, tamgroute (local pottery) lines small alcoves, board games are stacked inside cupboards, and coffee table books have plenty to dive into.
    — Katie Silcox, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of antique
Adjective
  • For a period, Pakistan deployed a 7-2 offside field against Cox to try and build some pressure, with a struggling Khurram Shahzad lacking the accuracy and rhythm to trouble him in more orthodox ways.
    — Ben Jones, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The language remains the primary tongue of growing ultra-orthodox Jewish communities from New York to Israel, creating a demand for print and other forms of media in the Yiddish language.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of orthodox
Adjective
  • Additionally, interviews and encounters with the slain officers’ family members also illustrate the cost and harm of a job that was formed in the early 19th century and remains antiquated and unchanged in our 21st-century world.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Today, satellite television barely exists — even cable is antiquated.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of antiquated
Adjective
  • For this tigress, the elder Singh urged a haka, an old-time beat.
    — Leslie E. Tassell, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The shop, both a drug store and old-time fountain shop, offers fountain sodas as well as subs and sandwiches.
    — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 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 29 Aug. 2026.

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