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 Those stationed in the venerable building endured mold, general despair and a 2020 fire. — Ross Guidotti, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 The venerable company Sea Doo had just announced a new version of its popular Spark model, this one with an X after it. — Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Its name was inspired by the New York hotel, deemed venerable enough to give the new outfit some heft, and its first swing at a leveraged buyout was for Chi-Chi’s, the Mexican restaurant chain, in 1987. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 20 Aug. 2026 In District 23, venerable Democrat Lois Frankel will face Republican Deborah Adeimy. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for venerable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for venerable

Adjective

The site remains a venerated Buddhist shrine used for local worship.

— Jack Tydeman, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2026
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

Definition of venerated

Adjective

Although there are plenty of books in three languages (Arabic, French, and English), there are also museums, a planetarium, and a lab dedicated to restoring and preserving ancient manuscripts.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Sep. 2026
Unlike the other four, it was not protected as an ancient monument because it was believed to have been lost.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of ancient

Adjective

During his heyday, which included a lengthy tenure at Dior, Galliano established himself as one of the most revered and influential designers of the 20th century.

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2026
With a career spanning more than 60 years, Parton has been one of country music’s leading lights, one of the genre’s most revered and prolific songwriters.

— Lars Brandle, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of revered

Adjective

The sheriff's office's drone was used to assist in checking the approximately 28-acre property and helped identify old kennel and animal-confinement areas.

— River Valley Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
The 27-year-old pre-training researcher’s dramatic resignation has fired off a provocative warning on X that instantly sent ripples across the tech sector.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of old

Adjective

It’s been a respectable run, but both of those seasons ended in dispiriting wild-card knockouts.

— Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
The respectable but not outsized viewership was coupled with the high cost for the lavish production, which filmed both color and black & white versions.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of respectable

Adjective

Consider looking for these pieces at a souvenir shop on your next beach vacation or at an antique store, which will give them a special meaning.

— Tessa Cooper, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2026
The Winnetu Oceanside Resort offers a respite from the hustle and bustle with a gamut of activities that run from tennis and yoga to a ride on an antique fire truck.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of antique

Adjective

Castellón To the north, Castellón unfolds as a mountainous marvel where medieval citadels, golden beaches, and tiny fishing villages create a landscape of contrasts, with the scent of citrus perfuming the air.

— Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
The season 28 finale is less than a month away and after the medieval twist wraps up, the jury stage of the game will begin.

— Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of medieval

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“Venerable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/venerable. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of venerable

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