ANACHRONISTIC Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

anachronistic

adjective

variants also anachronic

Definition of anachronistic

as in obsolete

belonging to an earlier time period The fashions that were all the rage just five years ago seem like anachronistic leftovers today.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 anachronistic Because the film is so anachronistic on a deep level, its surface anachronisms start to merit attention. — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026 What happened to the colonists remains unknown, but archaeological finds—including otherwise anachronistic English artifacts on Hatteras Island—give some support to White’s theory that at least some of the colonists relocated willingly. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026 The law has been criticized as anachronistic and sexist and the revision sparked outrage and concern that the measure could doom the already shrinking imperial family. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 Kirk made a point to fill his mis en scene with anachronistic technology items like old tape recorders and pay phones — and having access to all of Green Day’s music certainly didn’t hurt. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026 Both gleeful gore and anachronistic music have been part of Lizzie Borden pop-culture lore before. — Dan Medeiros, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026 Many of them had the notion that Homer should sound archaic, perhaps because a lot of translations created their own ornate anachronistic English that had nothing to do with the language of the epics. — Literary Hub, 23 July 2026 But the experience of the past few months has shown just how anachronistic, costly, and unnecessary the Jones Act is. — James Surowiecki, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026 Nolan advances his vision, however crowd-pleasing and anachronistic, with vigorous confidence and unimpeachable clarity. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for anachronistic

Adjective

And although, as a survey-style telescope, Roman boasts a wider, faster view of the sky than either Hubble or JWST, McEnery emphasized that doesn’t make these more focused missions obsolete.

— Lee Billings, Scientific American, 31 Aug. 2026
The same practice can be revolutionary in one company, incremental in another, and obsolete in a third.

— Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of obsolete

Adjective

Costco online cake ordering updates antiquated system The online cake ordering feature was first revealed to be on the way by Costco CEO Ron Vachris in the company's quarterly earnings call in December 2025.

— Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Additionally, interviews and encounters with the slain officers’ family members also illustrate the cost and harm of a job that was formed in the early 19th century and remains antiquated and unchanged in our 21st-century world.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of antiquated

Adjective

Kofi Kingston performed a vintage elimination save spot with help from Prince Nana as the two wheelbarrowed back into the ring.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Birmingham is popular with motorcycle and auto racing fans because of the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, which boasts the largest collection of vintage motorcycles and Lotus race cars.

— Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of vintage

Adjective

YouTube has been keen to talk up its partnership with the BBC and other British networks during its time in Edinburgh this week, and positioned itself as friend, not foe to the traditional sector.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
Perhaps Parton’s most countercultural act was her decision to work and not have children at a time when Reagan’s push for traditional family values took hold of the country.

— Shima Oliaee, Time, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of traditional

Adjective

Brussels offers a different atmosphere from Rome and La Baule, two of the sport’s historic destinations.

— Gemma Redrup, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Organizers say contemporary art can reinvigorate historic spaces while giving artists new settings to engage with the UK’s architectural and cultural heritage.

— George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of historic

Browse Nearby Words

anachronism

anachronistic

anachronous

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Anachronistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anachronistic. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of anachronistic

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes