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

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

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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

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 antique

Adjective

The museum’s four galleries included rare and antique telephones dating to 1876, including some designed by Alexander Graham Bell. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Trains+Trucks+Tractors = Wheels & Rails II See classic cars, hot rods, antique cars, antique tractors, semi and box trucks and more at this open class show with the Southeastern Railway Museum’s train cars as a backdrop. — Mary Caldwell, AJC.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Noun

Mill River Trading The collections of antiques and vintage clothing are always growing at Mill River Trading. — Morgan Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 20 Aug. 2026 Lighting designer Nader Gammas agrees that the best antiques are those that become part of everyday life. — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for antique

Recent Examples of Synonyms for antique

Adjective

After becoming a daily fixture in the 1990s, blackouts have worsened since 2024, when Cuba’s ancient power grid began to collapse and Soviet-era electrical stations began failing more frequently.

— Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
Its towering basalt cliffs formed as ancient volcanic rock cooled and fractured.

— Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of ancient

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

Noun

Now, agents are capable of performing sophisticated workflows and traversing multiple applications by leveraging a critical artifact of modern computing, the application programming interface (API).

— George C. Lee II, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
The artifacts cited in this particular conviction include a bust of Cleopatra, items from a princess’s grave and a stone slab affiliated with Tutankhamun.

— News Desk, Artforum, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of artifact

Adjective

Busy schedules at venues of every size, particularly the venerable clubs and halls that help give Chicago its local flavor.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
The husband-wife duo and their restaurant group that includes the likes of downtown Orlando’s Reyes Mezcaleria and Seito Sushi in Baldwin Park have been twice honored by the venerable James Beard Foundation.

— Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of venerable

Adjective

Sincerity and audacity are not opposing forces but complementary ones in this space, and for writers, retro programmers, and other film fans who came of age after midnight at the movies, Curry’s impact persists as its own kind of religion.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026
The curvy wood frame and oversized door pulls give the Scandi-centric piece a bit of retro appeal without feeling dated.

— Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of retro

Adjective

Brede Hovland of Norway’s Einar Film, who stepped in for producer Guri Neby on the panel, said the Norwegian shoot wrapped at the end of May after six-to-seven weeks in Oslo, with production now in Prague for the medieval and fantasy material.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
Start your day with a lakeside walk, then visit Meersburg Castle, the town’s medieval fortress, before heading to the New Castle (Neues Schloss), a Baroque palace perched above the lake, for panoramic views.

— Sofia Markovich, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of medieval

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

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

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Synonyms of antique

adjective

noun

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Synonyms of antique

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to antique

Tulip/Turban, Cloak/Clock, & 8...

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on antique

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

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Popular in Grammar & Usage

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Popular in Wordplay

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