OLD Synonyms: 311 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'old' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of old are ancient , antiquated , antique , archaic , obsolete , and venerable . While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence. // old houses // an old sweater of mine

Q: When can 'ancient' be used instead of 'old'?

While in some cases nearly identical to old , ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past. // ancient accounts of dragons

Q: When might 'antiquated' be a better fit than 'old'?

In some situations, the words antiquated and old are roughly equivalent. However, antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time. // antiquated teaching methods

Q: When would 'antique' be a good substitute for 'old'?

The meanings of antique and old largely overlap; however, antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time. // collected antique Chippendale furniture

Q: When is 'archaic' a more appropriate choice than 'old'?

While the synonyms archaic and old 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: In what contexts can 'obsolete' take the place of 'old'?

The words obsolete and old are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 is it sensible to use 'venerable' instead of 'old'?

The words venerable and old can be used in similar contexts, but venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age. // the family's venerable patriarch

Q: How does the adjective 'old' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of old are ancient , antiquated , antique , archaic , obsolete , and venerable . While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence. // old houses // an old sweater of mine

Q: When can 'ancient' be used instead of 'old'?

While in some cases nearly identical to old , ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past. // ancient accounts of dragons

Q: When might 'antiquated' be a better fit than 'old'?

In some situations, the words antiquated and old are roughly equivalent. However, antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time. // antiquated teaching methods

old 1 of 2

adjective

ˈōld

Definition of old next

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

as in ancient

dating or surviving from the distant past an extremely old piece of jewelry was discovered in the Egyptian ruins

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

old

2 of 2

noun

as in antiquity

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How does the adjective old differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of old are ancient, antiquated, antique, archaic, obsolete, and venerable. While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence.

old houses

an old sweater of mine

When can ancient be used instead of old?

While in some cases nearly identical to old, ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past.

ancient accounts of dragons

When might antiquated be a better fit than old?

In some situations, the words antiquated and old are roughly equivalent. However, antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

antiquated teaching methods

When would antique be a good substitute for old?

The meanings of antique and old largely overlap; however, 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 old?

While the synonyms archaic and old 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

In what contexts can obsolete take the place of old?

The words obsolete and old are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 is it sensible to use venerable instead of old?

The words venerable and old can be used in similar contexts, but venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age.

the family's venerable patriarch

How does the adjective old differ from other similar words?

old houses

an old sweater of mine

When can ancient be used instead of old?

While in some cases nearly identical to old, ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past.

ancient accounts of dragons

When might antiquated be a better fit than old?

In some situations, the words antiquated and old are roughly equivalent. However, antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

antiquated teaching methods

When would antique be a good substitute for old?

The meanings of antique and old largely overlap; however, 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 old?

While the synonyms archaic and old 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

In what contexts can obsolete take the place of old?

The words obsolete and old are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 is it sensible to use venerable instead of old?

The words venerable and old can be used in similar contexts, 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 old

Adjective

Boris Kagarlitskiy, a 42-year-old financial adviser in Cleveland, made that switch years ago and hasn’t looked back. —

Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026 The 17-year-old has come close. —

Simon Johnson, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026

Noun

These conversations are important because 11– and 12-year-olds aren’t old enough to handle the pressures that come with using social media. —

Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025 The 28-year-old hauled in 87 receptions for 1,027 yards and four touchdowns last season, representing the first 1,000-yard campaign of his NFL career. —

Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for old

Recent Examples of Synonyms for old

Adjective

Long drives are a big part of life in rural America, but transportation is uniquely challenging for people who are ill, elderly or both.

— Caleb Hellerman, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
Rodgers faces a misdemeanor assault charge against an elderly or disabled individual, according to Rubinson.

— Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026

Definition of elderly

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old countries

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“Old.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of old

adjective

noun

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