1
as in elderly
being of advanced years and especially past middle age
every day the old fisherman set out in his small boat to brave the dangers of the sea
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ancient
dating or surviving from the distant past
an extremely old piece of jewelry was discovered in the Egyptian ruins
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in former
having been such at some previous time
I ran into my old fourth-grade teacher yesterday
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest
even the most stirring speeches start to get old after you've heard them a few times
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of old
Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 16 June 2025
In the last three years, the 1-800 number her organization runs has seen a spike in calls from 18 to 20 year olds, and calls from 21 to 25 year olds have tripled.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 14 May 2025
Ben Smith, semafor.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Finally, came from an unexpected source: the tiny, stone Presbyterian church that is one of the few surviving structures of the old Fort McDowell.
—Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for old
Adjective
Dream Forest Camp sessions run from mid-July through the end of August, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a range of activities designed for both 4–12 year olds and 12–15 year olds (snacks and lunch are included).
—Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 16 June 2025
In the last three years, the 1-800 number her organization runs has seen a spike in calls from 18 to 20 year olds, and calls from 21 to 25 year olds have tripled.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 14 May 2025
Noun
Successive administrations let the old broadcast arms of American government abroad — Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia — slide into well-meaning obsolescence.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Finally, came from an unexpected source: the tiny, stone Presbyterian church that is one of the few surviving structures of the old Fort McDowell.
—Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for old
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old
Adjective
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This sparse drama follows Earl Stone (played by Eastwood, who also directed), a elderly veteran of the Korean War who has spent most of his life prioritizing his horticulture work over family.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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The former logo — which featured an elderly man with his arm resting on a barrel — has been replaced with a simpler version, sans old man and barrel.—
TJ Macias,
Kansas City Star,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The friends meander through leafy suburban life, charting a story about Judo, ancient Rome, first loves and the expansion of the Universe.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
29 Aug. 2025
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Chiricahua National Monument Located in the southeastern corner of Arizona, the 12,000-acre park features an uncanny collection of gravity defying rock formations, the result of an ancient volcanic event.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The House Oversight Committee is subpoenaing the late financier's estate to explore a possible mismanagement of a federal government investigation involving Epstein and his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
1 Sep. 2025
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Amid the cast shake-up at Saturday Night Live, current and former stars are sharing their reactions to the news ahead of season 51.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The parasites get their names from the larvae, which look and act like screws, boring and twisting into their victim's flesh.—
Jon Brodkin,
ArsTechnica,
25 Aug. 2025
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In the early episodes, when everyone’s still getting to know each other, are the conversations boring?—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In fact, during antiquity, most statues depicting gods, heroes and politicians were later destroyed or melted down to make tools, such as weapons or even kitchen utensils, according to the University of Maryland.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
26 June 2025
-
Spain, known as Hispania in Ancient Rome, played a significant role during antiquity.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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Chase Mason completed 17 of 23 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown for South Dakota State, and the 6-foot-4, 240-pound in-state raised senior rushed for 30 yards on 18 hard carries as his team produced 430 yards of offense.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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The Dukes' defense, anchored by senior safety Antonio Epps and key all-conference contributors, was one of the nation's stingiest in categories from third-down stops to red-zone efficiency.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In the past few months, the venerable USCGC Polar Star (WAGB 10), commissioned in 1976, completed the vessel’s 28th voyage to Antarctica.—
Craig Hooper,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
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Now, the top floors of the venerable Doris Building in the center of New Britain have undergone a dramatic makeover into 24 apartments that Mayor Erin Stewart sees as more progress in downtown’s revival.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But now, with another tough contract negotiation on the horizon, SAG-AFTRA is going to have to push forward without its erstwhile leader from Queens.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Aug. 2025
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For that is indeed the erstwhile marijuana mogul’s official job title, at least for now.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
10 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Old.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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