as in traditional
tending to favor established ideas, conditions, or institutions
an old-line professor who still taught as if it were 1930
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Recent Examples of old-line
Among the festival organizers, Yarrow was an advocate for the topical songwriting and contemporary sounds that some old-line folk aficionados resisted.
—
Jon Pareles, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Her main opponent is expected to be Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Virginia), 74, who is considered a more mainstream, old-line Democratic figure.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 Dec. 2024
On the other hand, the old-line producers knew how to tap into the classic novels of Dickens or Steinbeck to spin out great stories with legendary stars.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2024
Overall, the result was a success story that old-line competitors couldn’t match.
—Bhopi Dhall and Saurajit Kanungo, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024
And without these old-line agencies bleeding taxpayers dry, New York will have funds to put these better alternatives in place.
—Richard Wexler, New York Daily News, 13 May 2024
Renowned for ancient churches and the tomb of Dante, the 14th-century poet, the city of Ravenna and its environs along Italy’s Adriatic coast are also home to old-line industries like steel and fertilizer.
—Stanley Reed, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Trump would also face a Congress less inclined to impose such constraints, having established ideological mastery of the Republican Party, whose old-line elites can no longer claim that his agenda is aberrant and must be resisted.
—Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 19 Feb. 2024
Of course, if old-line insurers have an awful year in cyber, other parts of their business could provide a cushion.
—Jeff Kauflin, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
Jon Pareles, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Her main opponent is expected to be Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Virginia), 74, who is considered a more mainstream, old-line Democratic figure.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 Dec. 2024
On the other hand, the old-line producers knew how to tap into the classic novels of Dickens or Steinbeck to spin out great stories with legendary stars.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2024
Overall, the result was a success story that old-line competitors couldn’t match.
—Bhopi Dhall and Saurajit Kanungo, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024
And without these old-line agencies bleeding taxpayers dry, New York will have funds to put these better alternatives in place.
—Richard Wexler, New York Daily News, 13 May 2024
Renowned for ancient churches and the tomb of Dante, the 14th-century poet, the city of Ravenna and its environs along Italy’s Adriatic coast are also home to old-line industries like steel and fertilizer.
—Stanley Reed, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Trump would also face a Congress less inclined to impose such constraints, having established ideological mastery of the Republican Party, whose old-line elites can no longer claim that his agenda is aberrant and must be resisted.
—Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 19 Feb. 2024
Of course, if old-line insurers have an awful year in cyber, other parts of their business could provide a cushion.
—Jeff Kauflin, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old-line
Adjective
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Every community in Connecticut is provided access to free educational services for individuals over age 17 who have withdrawn from a traditional high school or are in need of English as a Second Language or Citizenship.—
Larry Covino,
Hartford Courant,
20 Mar. 2025
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Our European allies can no longer rely on us for protection from our traditional enemies.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Although Rubio didn’t directly cite a reason, his post linked to a story by the conservative Breitbart news site that reported on a talk Rasool gave on a webinar organized by a South African think tank.—
Gerald Imray,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2025
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Ruddy's name was mentioned nearly as much as Newsmax itself during a day-long hearing Friday in a defamation case brought by Dominion Voting Systems against the conservative network.—
Maddy Lauria,
NPR,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But having one of the masters of orthodox Hollywood storytelling at my side, by the monitor every single day, was so immensely helpful.—
William Earl,
Variety,
26 Dec. 2024
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Last year, many Orthodox Christians in Ukraine celebrated on December 25 for the first time, shifting away from Russian customs toward Western conventions and widely seen as a snub to Russia and its orthodox church, which has endorsed Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
26 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Old-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old-line. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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