Synonyms of rusty

rusty

adjective

ˈrə-stē 

1

as in archaic

having passed its time of use or usefulness

rusty laws still on the books because no one bothered to repeal them

Synonyms & Similar Words

• archaic
• obsolete
• antiquated
• medieval
• old
• prehistoric
• outdated
• mossy
• dated
• outmoded
• antique
• out-of-date
• expired
• useless
• defunct
• discarded
• outworn
• neolithic
• fossilized
• ancient
• moribund
• superannuated
• extinct
• Stone Age
• vintage
• aging
• disused
• moth-eaten
• passé
• unusable
• dead
• démodé
• historic
• historical
• retro
• late
• demoded
• kaput
• obsolescent
• Noachian
• inoperable
• vanished
• aged
• dormant
• fusty
• inert
• unworkable
• musty
• venerable
• latent
• inoperative
• past
• old-fashioned
• idle
• inactive
• former
• hoary
• antediluvian
• old-time
• fallow
• free
• erstwhile
• atavistic
• bygone
• old-world
• oldfangled
• age-old
• dateless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• modern
• new
• current
• recent
• contemporary
• fresh
• up-to-date
• present-day
• mod
• newfangled
• ultramodern
• modernized
• functional
• operational
• new-fashioned
• workable
• up-to-the-minute
• operable
• functioning
• operating
• refurbished
• active
• renewed
• operative
• busy
• remodeled
• employed
• alive

2

as in hoarse

harsh and dry in sound

in a rusty voice the old man ordered us off his land

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hoarse
• gruff
• husky
• coarse
• scratchy
• gravelly
• raspy
• gravel
• throaty
• grating
• croaky
• rasping
• croaking
• scraping
• choked
• strangled
• strained
• guttural
• abrasive
• rough
• growling
• cracked
• scratching
• grinding
• jarring
• strident
• discordant
• raucous
• cacophonous
• growly
• dissonant
• unmusical
• screeching
• inharmonious
• unmelodious
• squawking
• cawing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• golden
• liquid
• sweet
• gentle
• mellow
• soothing
• mellifluous
• soft
• smooth
• tender
• silken
• velvety
• satiny
• gliding
• musical
• mellifluent
• melodic
• lyrical
• melodious
• lyric
• euphonious

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rusty

The initial phase of work first began around two years ago, removing the metal silos and other immediately dangerous items, like ladders frequently used by trespassers and rusty metal pieces around the property. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026

Alcaraz also played in the mixed doubles event, looking rusty while partnering with Serena Williams to win one match before falling. — Brian Mahoney, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026

Byblow says earth tones will be major this season — think rusty red, forest green, burnt orange, and chocolate brown. — Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026

Yet these survivors are so hard-wired to be fearful of their neighbors that Hig and Cima’s rusty, tentative flirtation takes place under the gaze of her daddy’s gun, a heck of a chaperone. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026