ANTIQUATED Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of antiquated are ancient , antique , archaic , obsolete , old , and venerable . While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time. // antiquated teaching methods

Q: Where would 'ancient' be a reasonable alternative to 'antiquated'?

The words ancient and antiquated 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 it sensible to use 'antique' instead of 'antiquated'?

The words antique and antiquated can be used in similar contexts, but 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 'antiquated'?

The meanings of archaic and antiquated largely overlap; 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 'antiquated'?

While in some cases nearly identical to antiquated , 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 'antiquated'?

While the synonyms old and antiquated 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 might 'venerable' be a better fit than 'antiquated'?

In some situations, the words venerable and antiquated are roughly equivalent. However, venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age. // the family's venerable patriarch

antiquated

adjective

ˈan-tə-ˌkwā-təd

Definition of antiquated next

as in archaic

having passed its time of use or usefulness saw an antiquated hand-cranked rope-making machine at the textiles museum

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How does the adjective antiquated differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of antiquated are ancient, antique, archaic, obsolete, old, and venerable. While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

antiquated teaching methods

Where would ancient be a reasonable alternative to antiquated?

The words ancient and antiquated 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 it sensible to use antique instead of antiquated?

The words antique and antiquated can be used in similar contexts, but 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 antiquated?

The meanings of archaic and antiquated largely overlap; 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 antiquated?

While in some cases nearly identical to antiquated, 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 antiquated?

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

old houses

an old sweater of mine

When might venerable be a better fit than antiquated?

In some situations, the words venerable and antiquated are roughly equivalent. However, 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 antiquated There’s also going to be dynamic pricing that will allow lower prices for less desirable games, something that was impossible under the school’s previous antiquated system. —

Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025 With a vintage look available in multiple hues, the speaker makes for a classic living room piece that looks vintage without feeling overly dated or antiquated. —

Ars Staff, ArsTechnica, 7 May 2025 Along with this, the budget cuts loose green aviation projects and focuses more attention to aiding the FAA in fulfilling the administration's directive to modernize America's alarmingly antiquated air traffic control system. —

New Atlas, 4 May 2025 In an effort to address some of those worries, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced plans to overhaul the antiquated telecommunications, radio and surveillance systems. —

Vanessa Romo, NPR, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for antiquated

Recent Examples of Synonyms for antiquated

Adjective

Of course, fielding percentage is an archaic metric that modern baseball fans don’t bother with.

— Levi Weaver, New York Times, 20 May 2025
After 2012, when Putin returned to the presidency, the Kremlin began tightening its grip on Russia’s elites, embracing an archaic militarism, and widening its repression of civil society.

— ANDREI YAKOVLEV, Foreign Affairs, 16 May 2025

Definition of archaic

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antiquarians

antiquated

antiquation

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“Antiquated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antiquated. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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Last Updated: 30 May 2025 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of antiquated

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