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 Season 10 finds the venerable Captain Sandy Yawn navigating the shores of Spain with a handful of familiar faces by her side. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2025 And the venerable Diana DeGette, a Democrat, won District 1 by 190,000-plus votes! Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2025 New York’s venerable Manhattan Theatre Club has selected Associate Artistic Director Nicki Hunter to take over as Artistic Director when Lynne Meadow steps aside on December 1. Greg Evans, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025 And as if a constant stream of social media vitriol wasn’t enough of an insult to the venerable lawns, they are subjected to constant meteorological insults as well. Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for venerable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for venerable
Adjective
  • Kathleen Chalfant – a venerated stage actress with memorable turns in film and television – is officially entering the gauntlet for this year’s best actress prize.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The American restaurateur, who also owns and operates the venerated Savannah restaurant the Grey, alongside chef Mashama Bailey, was referring to the two-year legal battle to install a ventilation system.
    Alexander Lobrano, Air Mail, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • During that time, particles cast off from that ancient body collide with our planet at speeds of up to 41 miles per second (66 kilometers per second), burning up in a magnificent display as they're overwhelmed by the friction of atmospheric entry.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Pausing to appreciate ancient petroglyphs or a primrose that blooms for just one day.
    Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The revered text, which follows a devastating family feud and explores profound philosophical and spiritual ideas, has had numerous film and TV adaptations, including an immensely popular one on Indian state broadcasting channel Doordarshan and one by Peter Brook, which was recently restored.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Of all the Belle of Louisville's historic features, one area of the revered steamboat is clearly the most audible.
    Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • About 1,300 people from around the world -- ranging from children as young as 12 years old to elite athletes -- participated in the race.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The last one – the last out of a game, say, or the last victory in a playoff series – is considered the hardest one to achieve, if old adages and the like are to be believed.
    Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The latter is a more digestible story for the public, and now the news of an engagement is the most respectable outcome in a time when a Coldplay affair haunted us for weeks.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The results are respectable given budgetary limits.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The directors will be showcasing some of their recent discoveries, bought at auctions and estate sales from antique dealers or private collectors, at Frieze Masters, which runs from Wednesday to Sunday, in tandem with the contemporary art fair Frieze.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Layers of spice mingle with papyrus to evoke antique paper, while cedar adds grounding warmth.
    Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • And then there’s getting medieval on your ass.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Ludwig Hurtado Julie d’Aubigny Want to get medieval with it this All Hallow’s Eve?
    Samantha Allen, Them., 10 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Venerable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/venerable. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on venerable

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