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

old 1 of 2

adjective

ˈōld

Definition of old next

as in older

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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For

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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

a traditional 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

Now Sarah Snook, the Australian actor who played Shiv Roy — older sister to Kieran Culkin’s Roman — makes her Broadway debut in Kip Williams’s intricately high-tech retelling of Oscar Wilde’s classic novel. —

New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025 Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph brought back their old Bronx Beat fake talk show. —

Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2025

Noun

The new season will see a fresh cast of three-to-five year olds spotlighted. —

Max Goldbart, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2024 The program starts in Green Bay’s Head Start program, meant for 3- to 4-year olds. —

Nadia Scharf, Journal Sentinel, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for old

Recent Examples of Synonyms for old

Adjective

Researchers in London recently uncovered a 2,000-year-old structure that once served as the hub of the bustling ancient city.

— Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that the plesiosaur is considered a successful marine predatory ancient species.

— Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 18 Feb. 2025