Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective antiquated differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of antiquated are ancient, antique, archaic, obsolete, old, and venerable. While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

antiquated teaching methods

Where would ancient be a reasonable alternative to antiquated?

The words ancient and antiquated are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past.

ancient accounts of dragons

When is it sensible to use antique instead of antiquated?

The words antique and antiquated can be used in similar contexts, but antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time.

collected antique Chippendale furniture

When is archaic a more appropriate choice than antiquated?

The meanings of archaic and antiquated largely overlap; however, archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time.

the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period

When would obsolete be a good substitute for antiquated?

While in some cases nearly identical to antiquated, 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 can old be used instead of antiquated?

While the synonyms old and antiquated are close in meaning, old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence.

old houses
an old sweater of mine

When might venerable be a better fit than antiquated?

In some situations, the words venerable and antiquated are roughly equivalent. However, venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age.

the family's venerable patriarch

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 antiquated Amtrak has always lost money, uses antiquated technology — some of it a century old or more — and frustrates its riders with chronic delays on its brittle tracks. Tim Balk, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2025 In 2018, Russia blamed Israel for an incident in which an antiquated Syrian S-200 anti-aircraft missile destroyed a Russian military transport while targeting Israeli fighter jets, killing all 15 Russian personnel aboard. Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025 Too many fouls, not enough freedom for creativity and an antiquated two halves format have kept him from diving in. C.j. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2025 For far too long, the agency has used antiquated methods for proving identity. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for antiquated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antiquated
Adjective
  • Executing on it will be more complicated because the entire system is based on archaic policies and principles.
    Dan Gingiss, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The chain gang will still be on the field as a backup option, but the archaic measuring system will no longer be the primary way to determine a first down or not on close plays.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The streetcar would move too slowly, carry too few people or too many, be obsolete on opening day, cost too much, and trigger gentrification.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Maintaining obsolete systems also consumes time and budget that businesses could invest in high-value strategic initiatives.
    Manuel Sanchez, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Also, the pass includes several mountain excursions and free admission to more than 500 museums throughout Switzerland. Not to be missed is the medieval town of Gruyères about 80 miles from Geneva.
    Jeryl Brunner, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The stakes of the story become ever more human-on-human, with zombies largely relegated to one epic battle that sits at the cinematic junction of western, medieval and samurai.
    Mike Hale, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Antiquated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antiquated. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on antiquated

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