ANTIQUE Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of antique are ancient , antiquated , archaic , obsolete , old , and venerable . While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time. // collected antique Chippendale furniture

Q: In what contexts can 'ancient' take the place of 'antique'?

The words ancient and antique are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past. // ancient accounts of dragons

Q: When is 'antiquated' a more appropriate choice than 'antique'?

The words antiquated and antique can be used in similar contexts, but antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time. // antiquated teaching methods

Q: When might 'archaic' be a better fit than 'antique'?

In some situations, the words archaic and antique are roughly equivalent. However, archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time. // the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period

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

The meanings of obsolete and antique largely overlap; however, 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 can 'old' be used instead of 'antique'?

While the synonyms old and antique are close in meaning, old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence. // old houses // an old sweater of mine

Q: When is it sensible to use 'venerable' instead of 'antique'?

The synonyms venerable and antique are sometimes interchangeable, but venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age. // the family's venerable patriarch

antique 1 of 2

adjective

(ˌ)an-ˈtēk

Definition of antique next

as in ancient

dating or surviving from the distant past studied shards from antique pots made by the Pueblos of the Southwest

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in vintage

pleasantly reminiscent of an earlier time loved to collect antique sugar tongs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

antique

2 of 2

noun

(ˌ)an-ˈtēk

as in artifact

something belonging to or surviving from an earlier period their house is filled with rare antiques, including a collection of 19th-century African masks

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective antique differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of antique are ancient, antiquated, archaic, obsolete, old, and venerable. While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time.

collected antique Chippendale furniture

In what contexts can ancient take the place of antique?

The words ancient and antique are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past.

ancient accounts of dragons

When is antiquated a more appropriate choice than antique?

The words antiquated and antique can be used in similar contexts, but antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

antiquated teaching methods

When might archaic be a better fit than antique?

In some situations, the words archaic and antique are roughly equivalent. However, archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time.

the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period

When would obsolete be a good substitute for antique?

The meanings of obsolete and antique largely overlap; however, 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 can old be used instead of antique?

While the synonyms old and antique are close in meaning, old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence.

old houses

an old sweater of mine

When is it sensible to use venerable instead of antique?

The synonyms venerable and antique are sometimes interchangeable, but venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age.

the family's venerable patriarch

Examples 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 antique

Adjective

Hunt for antique treasures Check out Sleepy Poet Antique Mall on South Boulevard, or one of these five other second-hand furniture stores in the area, to get some unique decor for your home. —

Mckenzie Rankin, Axios, 7 Jan. 2025 Another small antique district awaits across the Bridge of Lions on Anastasia Boulevard. —

Linnea Bailey, Southern Living, 24 Dec. 2024

Noun

Many of the antique pieces were sourced at Round Top, a town in Texas that hosts one of the largest antique shows in the country and is beloved by everyone from everyday collectors to A-list designers. —

Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 19 Dec. 2024 Nora Curl has a long history with antiques — both as an appraiser and as an appreciator. —

Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for antique

Recent Examples of Synonyms for antique

Adjective

Designed with geometric forms that evoke the pyramids in the backdrop, the museum invites visitors to journey through ancient Egypt’s 3,000-year history, starting with the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt around 3100 B.C. and ending with the Roman conquest in 30 B.C.

— Kate McMahon, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2025
In it, a fantastical ancient Asian Empire is on the verge of destruction, torn apart by insidious rivalry.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2025