fossil

noun

Definition of fossilnext
as in conservative
a person with old-fashioned ideas some old fossil who thinks that a boy and a girl shouldn't be together unsupervised until they are engaged

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 fossil Battery storage and renewable power will have roles to play, as will nuclear plants and existing fossil generation. — Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 As paleobotanists, my colleagues and I use plant fossils to identify which species once lived in a place. — Regan E. Dunn, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026 The question is not whether biogenic and fossil carbon are identical. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026 When new coal and gas were cheaper than new solar, solar took too long to pay out, and fossil-fuel sources were still the most affordable option in developing economies. — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fossil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fossil
  1. conservative
  2. veteran
  3. fogy
  4. mossback
Noun
  • Eventually, the conservatives succeeded; the denomination finally divided in a schism in 2024, with more than seventy-six hundred congregations leaving to join a conservative Global Methodist Church.
    — Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Graham has framed her outsider status as an asset, while pointing to Trump's support as one of the key reasons conservatives should support her bid for a full term.
    — Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of conservative
Noun
  • Of the bunch, Kaminsky is the only Broadway veteran, with Álvarez, Knight and Cochran — as well as understudies Caron Buinis, Caroline Hendricks and Michael Holding — all making their Broadway debuts with Paranormal Activity.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The Nuggets need to get younger, longer and meaner around that veteran trio, and ASAP.
    — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of veteran
Noun
  • There’s no old fogey-ness to Lorne.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026
  • For the benefit of us old fogies?
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of fogy
Noun
  • This man performed in all of Shakespeare’s plays, Assumed all parts from mossbacks to boys young.
    — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2019
Definition of mossback

Browse Nearby Words

fosses
fossil
fossilized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fossil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fossil. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fossil

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fossil

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