1
as in elderly
being of advanced years and especially past middle age
every day the old fisherman set out in his small boat to brave the dangers of the sea
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ancient
dating or surviving from the distant past
an extremely old piece of jewelry was discovered in the Egyptian ruins
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in former
having been such at some previous time
I ran into my old fourth-grade teacher yesterday
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of old
Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
From the bathroom, the 8-year-old called for Furlong and asked for help with his tie.
—Laura Kwerel, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
The city may have changed, but its shadows haven’t, and its oldest secrets still live between the cracks of its neighborhoods.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for old
Adjective
The 28-year-old hauled in 87 receptions for 1,027 yards and four touchdowns last season, representing the first 1,000-yard campaign of his NFL career.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
From the bathroom, the 8-year-old called for Furlong and asked for help with his tie.
—Laura Kwerel, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
The 21-year-old wildlife conservationist and son of famed zookeeper and television personality Steve Irwin further elaborated just why Russell's constructive criticism means so much.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
The city may have changed, but its shadows haven’t, and its oldest secrets still live between the cracks of its neighborhoods.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for old
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old
Adjective
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The other included a middle-aged man from Virginia and an elderly woman from California.—
Ben Adler,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Navedo was charged with fraud-swindle-obtain property for $50,000 or more and abuse of an elderly or disabled adult without great bodily harm.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Cylinder seals open a wide window not just into ancient Mesopotamian art and culture but also into the minds of individual Mesopotamians.—
Serdar Yalçin,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
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Cairo’s Grand Egyptian Museum is finally open The Grand Egyptian Museum, home to 100,000 ancient artifacts, has opened in Cairo more than 20 years after construction began.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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And importantly, Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership is an affirmation of its sovereignty, putting it in equal standing with its former occupier, Indonesia, within the regional bloc.—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
30 Oct. 2025
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Shared soap opera experience wasn't the only thing Vergara had in common with former Days of Our Lives actress and current Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause.—
Jillian Sederholm,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Though the pacing and breadth of the episode ensure that things never get boring, not all the stories are equally compelling.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
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Klum doesn't want to let anyone down by choosing the boring or easy way out with a costume.—
Hedy Phillips,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The tackier the better The dominant aesthetic of the administration comes not from antiquity but from AI slop, the tackier and more juvenile the better.—
Michelle Goldberg,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
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In classical antiquity, the mountainous region was notorious for bandits; in modern times, blood feuds among clans were rife.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Multiple sources close to members of the Madrid squad spoke of a feeling of frustration within the dressing room, with many senior figures feeling disrespected and dissatisfied, and a feeling that Alonso is much more distant with them than predecessor Carlo Ancelotti was.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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At Landmark Christian Center in Downey, California, the senior pastor chose his son, Timothy Scarr, to lead music.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Bari Weiss is poised to revamp one of the nation’s most venerable down-the-middle news outlets, CBS News.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
24 Oct. 2025
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The venerable house of Chapoutier goes back to 1808, and today it is run by Michel Chapoutier, who took over from his predecessor at the young age of 26.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The thieves made off with nine items of jewelry belonging to members of France's erstwhile royal families.—
Jamie Gray,
NBC news,
21 Oct. 2025
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Rounding out the character lineup is Frau von Luber, an erstwhile aristocrat who’s reduced to being the housekeeper in newly wealthy Olim’s castle—which used to belong to her.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Old.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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