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

Examples 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 Fortunately, as laid out above, there is an alternative that transcends the antiquated left-right divide. Nancy Okail, Foreign Affairs, 3 Dec. 2024 This sofa has exactly that kind of antiquated charm with its pleated bottom. Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 2 Dec. 2024 These artisans, working in concert with larger companies, were able to repurpose antiquated building practices at scale, in lieu of faster and cheaper modern building techniques. Joseph Ataman, CNN, 30 Nov. 2024 That seems antiquated by comparison to the number of outlets that make the yea-or-nay call after reading a few sample scripts. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 26 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for antiquated 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antiquated
Adjective
  • Kyiv has been struggling to boost military recruitment, stiffen its forces’ defensive earthworks, reform archaic command staffs and boost the output of Ukrainian arms factories.
    David Axe, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Amos Hochstein, the charismatic U.S. envoy leading the ceasefire talks, has largely shied away from Lebanon’s archaic internal affairs and the question of the day after.
    Firas Maksad, TIME, 26 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • With the capability to create full video from prompts, Sora is going to make all kinds of casting, staging and expensive film operations obsolete.
    John Werner, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
  • The invention of nuclear weapons made this thinking obsolete by making conquest among the great powers impossible.
    Shane Croucher, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The beautiful city of Maastricht in the Netherlands is always a delight to visit for its medieval architecture and its vibrant cultural scene, which includes FashionClash, an annual festival every November that’s a brilliant mashup of fashion, art, film and performance.
    Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
  • The other new study, in Nature, relied on an analysis of six genomes from remains discovered in Ranis, a cave site in present-day Germany that sits below a medieval castle.
    Evan Bush, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near antiquated

Cite this Entry

“Antiquated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antiquated. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on antiquated

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