VENERABLE Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'venerable' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of venerable are ancient , antiquated , antique , archaic , obsolete , and old . While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age. // the family's venerable patriarch

Q: When might 'ancient' be a better fit than 'venerable'?

While in some cases nearly identical to venerable , ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past. // ancient accounts of dragons

Q: In what contexts can 'antiquated' take the place of 'venerable'?

The synonyms antiquated and venerable are sometimes interchangeable, but antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time. // antiquated teaching methods

Q: When is 'antique' a more appropriate choice than 'venerable'?

The meanings of antique and venerable largely overlap; however, antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time. // collected antique Chippendale furniture

Q: When would 'archaic' be a good substitute for 'venerable'?

While the synonyms archaic and venerable are close in meaning, archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time. // the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period

Q: Where would 'obsolete' be a reasonable alternative to 'venerable'?

In some situations, the words obsolete and venerable are roughly equivalent. However, obsolete may apply to something regarded as no longer acceptable or useful even though it is still in existence. // a computer that makes earlier models obsolete

Q: When could 'old' be used to replace 'venerable'?

The words old and venerable can be used in similar contexts, but old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence. // old houses // an old sweater of mine

venerable

adjective

ˈve-nər(-ə)-bəl

Definition of venerable

as in venerated

deserving honor and respect especially by reason of age the venerable old man was a cherished source of advice and wisdom for the villagers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ancient

dating or surviving from the distant past a venerable tradition that colleges have been maintaining for centuries

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective venerable differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of venerable are ancient, antiquated, antique, archaic, obsolete, and old. While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age.

the family's venerable patriarch

When might ancient be a better fit than venerable?

While in some cases nearly identical to venerable, ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past.

ancient accounts of dragons

In what contexts can antiquated take the place of venerable?

The synonyms antiquated and venerable are sometimes interchangeable, but antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

antiquated teaching methods

When is antique a more appropriate choice than venerable?

The meanings of antique and venerable largely overlap; however, antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time.

collected antique Chippendale furniture

When would archaic be a good substitute for venerable?

While the synonyms archaic and venerable are close in meaning, archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time.

the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period

Where would obsolete be a reasonable alternative to venerable?

In some situations, the words obsolete and venerable are roughly equivalent. However, obsolete may apply to something regarded as no longer acceptable or useful even though it is still in existence.

a computer that makes earlier models obsolete

When could old be used to replace venerable?

The words old and venerable can be used in similar contexts, but old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence.

old houses

an old sweater of mine

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 venerable The venerable roadside establishment is now under the management of a nonprofit and has been restored. — From Staff Reports, Des Moines Register, 21 July 2026 Jeff Stoutland, the venerable offensive line coach, did not stay with the team. — Zach Berman, New York Times, 20 July 2026 This second installment represents the venerable anthology franchise’s height of humor, invention, and variety. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026 The two women have booked an increasing number of speaking gigs over the past year, including at popular venues like Sloat Garden Centers and SummerWinds nurseries around the Bay Area, and even at the venerable Marin Art and Garden Center. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for venerable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for venerable

Adjective

On the night of June 15, a Russian drone directly hit the most venerated site for Ukraine’s majority Orthodox Christians, and indeed for much of Eastern Christendom.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 26 June 2026
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the landmark live release, Frampton recounts his history in bands The Herd and Humble Pie before striking stadium-sellout gold as a solo star with venerated guitar chops and an inventive talk box.

— Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 3 June 2026

Definition of venerated

Adjective

In a sport written about in ancient Greek literature, no one has thrown a discus as far as Mykolas Alekna.

— Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
The story follows ancient creatures appearing in the modern world, prompting heroes from different countries to confront a rising darkness threatening the region.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of ancient

Adjective

For some in the Howard community, the bitter experience has raised questions about the legacy of one of the country’s most revered historically Black colleges and universities.

— Matt Brown, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
Instead of wallowing over these changes, the revered restauranteur is adapting and embracing them.

— Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of revered

Adjective

The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Jeanine John Taele, was spotted by plainclothes federal agents who observed odd behavior and subsequently contacted the Lomita Sheriff Department deputies.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Aug. 2026
In honor of the upcoming movie, the All Roads Lead to Camp bus is touring across the country and bringing fans, new and old, into the world of Camp Rock, PEOPLE previously revealed exclusively.

— Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of old

Adjective

Reese, by the way, finished Monday's loss to the Aces with respectable numbers.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Welbeck led the way in masking that blow, as Brighton ended up with a respectable total of 52 league goals last season — 10th-best in the division.

— Andy Naylor, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of respectable

Adjective

Get the antique style by opting for a solid wood shelf with traditional trim.

— Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2026
Inside, limestone walls and old stone arches play into the traditional Cycladic style; though more recent renovations, including a burgundy marble kitchen floor and antique brass outdoor shower, give it an elevated spin.

— Monica Mendal, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of antique

Adjective

Nearby Montefioralle—officially recognized as one of Italy's most beautiful villages—is worth a detour, as is Volpaia, a near-intact medieval hamlet around 20 minutes to the north.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
Moscow first appears in historical records as a medieval frontier town in 1147.

— Lidia Pilecky, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of medieval

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“Venerable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/venerable. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of venerable

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