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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

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noun

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an old woman
an elderly woman
an octogenarian woman
a senior woman
a grandmotherly woman
an elder woman
an old house
an outdated house
an obsolete house
a previous house
a former house
an earlier house
old days
ancient days
archaic days
long-past days
in-those days
simpler days
an old town
a historic town
a classic town
a historical town
an ancient town
an old friend
a longtime friend
a past friend
a familiar friend
a longstanding friend
a previous friend

Synonym Chooser

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

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
Desk calendar Your old phone can be repurposed as your personal calendar. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2025 Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson were the only players to hit that mark at 28 years old. Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
Jurors repeatedly watched graphic clips from police video that showed the officers punch and kick Nichols and hit him with a police baton just steps from his home, as the 29-year-old called out for his mother. Adrian Sainz, TIME, 4 Oct. 2024 By comparison, 60% of 45- to 60-year olds buy protein products. Michelle Fox, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for old
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old
Adjective
  • The museum has a world-class collection, including works by iconic artists like da Vinci, Monet, and Van Gogh, alongside ancient artifacts.
    Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Leland presented European material as the survival of an ancient pagan cult—moreover, a paganism that had been demonized by Christianity.
    Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Under former President Joe Biden, monthly student loan bills resumed in the fall of 2023 after a years-long break.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • For years, the scientific output (patents, publications, commercial innovations) from former Soviet scientists decreased dramatically with a long-lasting negative impact on today’s Russian economy.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Camilla told Newsweek that her husband, Linford, 32, works as a tunnel boring machine operator in London.
    Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Take it from this guy, who bought the beautiful Starfield limited-edition Xbox controller, headset, and console wrap for over $200, only to play the game and dump it after 20 boring hours.
    Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Getty is boasts one of the most robust art collections in the world, with the Getty Center alone containing more than 44,000 antiquities dating as far back as 6,500 BCE.
    Francesca Aton for ArtNews, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2025
  • These artifacts from gaming antiquity will inevitably be recognized one day soon.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Charges have been filed against an Oklahoma woman who is being accused of laundering nearly $1.5 million in funds obtained through online romance scams, targeting elderly women.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • What To Know Between October 2024 and January 2025, at least five elderly victims in Pittsburgh were tricked into handing over large sums of cash.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Pitt was created by R. Scott Gemmill, a former writer and producer on ER, the venerable Emmy-winning series that ran 15 seasons on NBC.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Dewhurst was, at that point, a venerable stage star with six Tony nominations and two wins, and Reiley was a young journeyman actor who was often hired for the chorus or as an understudy.
    Mark Harris, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Earlier this year, there was a small bit of consternation in the Death Grips fan community due to an apparent private comment from erstwhile band member Andy Morin that was leaked publicly.
    Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Bloomberg/Via Getty Images President Trump's announcements on tariffs have dismayed many of his erstwhile supporters on Wall Street.
    Steve Inskeep, NPR, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Friendships built on insecurity, where men constantly have to prove their manhood, are a breeding ground for toxic attitudes and stupid decision-making.
    Terry Ward, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025
  • That was the result of a stupid Obama-era rule that claimed a benefit to climate change (the biggest scam ever perpetrated on humanity) by restricting water flow through shower heads and faucets.
    Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 12 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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