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 London dealer and Fabergé expert, Wartski, will unveil a new discovery: an Imperial clock by Carl Fabergé last publicly seen 123 years ago. Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025 The venerable workhorse helicopter has become a symbol of the Army’s wars of the last 30 years. Tom Vanden Brook, USA Today, 14 June 2025 Among the entities helping spark such experiences is Sage, one of New York City’s most venerable owner-operators of premium office space, and a fourth-generation company that has withstood the volatile ups and downs of the office market for more than a century. Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025 The venerable organization honored the exec at its spring gala alongside illustrious New York native and Severance star John Turturro. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for venerable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for venerable
Adjective
  • So, co-author Vance Holliday of the University of Arizona (who also co-authored the 2021 paper) and colleagues decided to radiocarbon-date ancient lake bed and wetlands mud that can be directly traced to the alluvium layers in which the footprints are preserved.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 18 June 2025
  • Other scholars looked to Iranian and Central Asian folklore for the meaning of the motifs, proposing that the spots and stripes might be intended to evoke the leopard and tiger skins worn by ancient warriors in those cultures.
    Dorothy Armstrong June 18, Literary Hub, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • Wildlife trafficking of turtles, parrots, and more in Mexico—with most transactions conducted on social media—is threatening the country’s revered biodiversity.
    Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 26 June 2025
  • Thailand is America’s oldest ally in Asia whose revered palace historically served as a pillar of conservatism and permanence, as well as a bulwark against the communist fervor engulfing its Southeast Asian neighbors.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • The departing older president, the incoming younger Kennedy.
    Dr. Richard Fichman, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2025
  • While older South Koreans remain most at risk, suicide is now the leading cause of death for those aged 10 to 39.
    Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • There’s no denying that the second-generation Pontiac Firebird Trans Am muscle car tipped the scale toward kitsch, adding flares, spoilers, and a set of cringeworthy decals—available as of 1973 as a $55 option—to an otherwise respectable design.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 27 June 2025
  • Zeller was taken ahead of the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Steven Adams, a pair of big men who’ve had more than respectable careers.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • On his way back to the canteen for one of those soft pretzels, Phil saw that the Jasper Gunn Mummy was also being exhibited, accompanied by a display of antique cowboy toys.
    Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 18 June 2025
  • From a Scandinavian-meets-farmhouse abode to a Dallas dwelling with antique touches, refined spaces around the world feature this frame type.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • Carved into chalk more than 1,600 years ago, the vaulted caverns at Taittinger stretch nearly 60 feet underground, their walls layered with remnants of Roman quarries, medieval crypts and Benedictine abbey foundations.
    Rachel King, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • On Thursday night, celebrities gathered for a kick-off event at the medieval Madonna dell’Orto cloister.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Venerable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/venerable. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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