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 episode title, though, nods to the venerable stand-up reality competition Last Comic Standing. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026 Activision, which Microsoft officially purchased just under three years ago, will now also take control of venerable studio Rare (Sea of Thieves) and the Age of Empires stewards at World’s Edge. — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026 The new iteration of the Prada store is tapping into a venerable old tradition. — Hafsa Lodi, Architectural Digest, 22 Sep. 2026 To mark the occasion, here is our definitive guide to the historic workshops, venerable dining rooms, and fashion houses that give the Galleria its life. — Eleonora Giordani, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for venerable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for venerable

Adjective

The venerated Oscar-winning, 88-year-old actress and activist wore a long-sleeve maxidress with twisted fabric at the base of the neckline and allover sparkle embellished into the fabric.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
The site remains a venerated Buddhist shrine used for local worship.

— Jack Tydeman, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2026

Definition of venerated

Adjective

Our research is already leading in new directions beyond ancient interiors.

— Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
For scientists, the harder question has been how oxygen stayed abundant for millions of years afterward — long enough, as ancient rocks suggest, to set the stage for the emergence of increasingly complex life.

— Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of ancient

Adjective

The Cuban National Ballet, founded in the 1940s by revered ballerina Alicia Alonso and her husband Fernando Alonso, is considered one of the world’s most prestigious companies.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
Mercury contamination, toxic algal blooms and invasive fish have threatened a rare and revered local fish, the chi.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of revered

Adjective

The proximity to his father was what worried Lorena Zschaber, a 40-year-old photographer, who watched the results roll in at an LGBTQ+ friendly bar in downtown Rio de Janeiro.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
The 168-year-old magazine’s breakout journalism, its digital success, and a bit of good timing have given both Goldberg and Thompson plenty to brag about on the media podcast circuit.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of old

Adjective

Nothing terribly exciting is happening inside this three-bedroom, but there’s lots of light and a respectable amount of space, and the beach is just a few minutes away.

— Nora Deligter, Curbed, 2 Oct. 2026
So there’s not that much to happen in the last two-thirds of the drama than for your ribs to be constantly nudged with the idea of how easily the most respectable citizens among us will give in to modest proposals and, indeed, murder.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of respectable

Adjective

The lobby, decked out in light fixtures made from antique crystal decanters, is a wonder in itself.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
The flick follows an elder antique trader who dredges up a 500-year-old artifact that invigorates him with youth but has the unfortunate side effect of turning him into a vampire.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of antique

Adjective

In a new study published this week in the journal Antiquity, researchers describe how a group of historians helped discover the early medieval monastery in a stroke of good luck.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026
The film turns the princess tale into a passage across medieval fantasy, retro-futurist sci-fi and the present day.

— Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of medieval

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“Venerable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/venerable. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of venerable

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