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antique

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noun

as in artifact
something belonging to or surviving from an earlier period their house is filled with rare antiques, including a collection of 19th-century African masks

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective antique differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of antique are ancient, antiquated, archaic, obsolete, old, and venerable. While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time.

collected antique Chippendale furniture

In what contexts can ancient take the place of antique?

The words ancient and antique 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 antiquated a more appropriate choice than antique?

The words antiquated and antique can be used in similar contexts, but antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

antiquated teaching methods

When might archaic be a better fit than antique?

In some situations, the words archaic and antique are roughly equivalent. 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 antique?

The meanings of obsolete and antique largely overlap; 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 can old be used instead of antique?

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

old houses
an old sweater of mine

When is it sensible to use venerable instead of antique?

The synonyms venerable and antique are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 antique
Adjective
This château hotel is tucked away in the 16th arrondissement and oozes nostalgic charm with design by Laura Gonzalez, who fused Art Deco influences with 19th-century motifs and an abundance of antique objects. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2025 For example, pair an antique dresser with a modern lamp or upholster a roll arm chair in a bold fabric. Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
Now part of the Musei Reali, the palace’s royal apartments—replete with crystal chandeliers, ceiling frescoes, gilded moldings, and antiques—have been opened up to the public. Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2025 Ivanhoe Village For good gifts, avant-garde theatre, and antique row Once the site of pineapple and citrus farms, then Orlando’s first waterpark, Joyland; Ivanhoe Village along the eponymous lake has long been referred to by locals as Antique Row. Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for antique
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antique
Adjective
  • From summiting Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji to trekking through Madeira’s mystical, ancient Fanal Forest, my love for hiking has taken me across the globe.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Thus, the team concluded that the late Devonian and late Ordovician extinction events, which respectively took place some 372 and 445 million years ago, were likely caused by such ancient supernovae.
    Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The Chopard spokesmodel later boarded a helicopter at Hudson Yards, changing into a vintage shearling coat by Dolce & Gabbana.
    Hannah Malach, WWD, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The move came a decade after former Gov. George Ryan established a moratorium on death sentences after a string of men were let off death row after DNA evidence called their guilt into question. Want more vintage Chicago?
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Additional artifacts found on a mound called Tablet Hill shed light on a standard metric system, along with visual propaganda of Naram-Sin wearing a horned crown akin to a god.
    Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Abyssal Edge – This sword is Strand, and that works with the Unraveling Orbs artifact mod that gives Strand weapons Unraveling Rounds on orb pickup which works with Flash Counter damage.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Dolphins venerable veteran Calais Campbell told an NFL reporter that he was also detained while trying to deescalate the situation.
    David J. Neal and, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The movie’s exotic title is the name of a peculiar and venerable pitch, a high-arcing floater that seems easy to hit but instead may tantalize batters.
    Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Quilted jackets for a touch of classic, cottage-core charm and, on the opposite end of the spectrum, retro track jackets with so-sporty vibes.
    Victoria Montalti, refinery29.com, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Flattered Launches Spring/Summer 2025 Collection Flattered’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection embraces retro aesthetics, drawing inspiration from ’60s minimalism.
    Mecca Pryor, Essence, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Researchers also found additional relics like stone tools made from flint and quartz, as well as animal bones displaying cut marks.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Far from being a relic or a measure in need of hasty correction, GDP remains an essential gauge of how much a society is able to produce and ultimately consume.
    James Broughel, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Covilhã, Portugal Built within medieval fortified walls, included in Portugal's Historical village route, Covilhã is located in central Portugal at an altitude of 2,359 feet.
    Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • One image shows God Doom holding court in his white robes, while another shows Hulk in what appears to be a medieval version of Battleworld's Greenland - in the comics, Greenland is made up of warring tribes of green, red, and gray Hulks.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The expansion will retain the historic façade of the library, which was built in 1928 and expanded in 1962.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
  • His historic Park Slope, Brooklyn, rental was already filled with souvenirs from his international work trips, like tribal masks and handmade rugs, which weren’t an obvious pairing for Belanger’s pastel sculptures of cake slices and ice cream cones.
    Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 13 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Antique.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antique. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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