antique 1 of 2

adjective

(ˌ)an-ˈtēk How to pronounce antique (audio)
Definition of antiquenext
1
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
2
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 How to pronounce antique (audio)
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

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 14-room hotel features six 19th-century bungalows and three private cottages with vintage and antique pieces. —Sara Bliss, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2025 The décor is rather lavish at each location, and the latest Park Avenue coffee lounge contains a custom mosaic floor, antique sconces, and opera-style chandeliers. —Gary Stern, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
Known for being one of the largest outdoor markets in Texas, with 490 booths spread across 20 acres, this event is a trove of antiques, locally made products, and all manner of funky oddities. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025 There will be household goods, antiques, collectibles, furniture and more. —Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for antique
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antique
  1. ancient
  2. vintage
  3. artifact
  4. venerable
  5. retro
  6. relic
  7. medieval
  8. historic
Adjective
  • The company decided on the dire wolf for two main reasons: their ancient DNA was available, and they can safely be born using a surrogate.
    — Andrea Marks, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The gray wolves share physical features with dire wolves but remain genetically and behaviorally distinct due to the limits of current technology and incomplete ancient DNA.
    — John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of ancient
Adjective
  • The categories include: onscreen wardrobe and props, luxury handbags, vintage posters, rare books, trading cards, autographs, fine and decorative arts, manuscripts, photography, animation and more.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Steph Curry goes off Steph Curry cooked up a vintage performance on Tuesday, dropping 52 points as the Golden State Warriors beat the Memphis Grizzlies 134-125.
    — Matias Grez, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of vintage
Noun
  • The cabinet of curiosities in the background contains strange artifacts, including the Bloodstone prop from Werewolf by Night, the Marvel TV special Giacchino directed for Disney+.
    — Nick Romano, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • This portfolio is, like a memory of a night in a Broadway house, an artifact of a moment.
    — Mark Seliger, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of artifact
Adjective
  • The 27 Project Kuiper satellites will comprise the heaviest payload that the venerable Atlas V has ever flown, according to Amazon.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Note: If those prices are too steep, Arlington’s venerable Bigotes Restaurant is 1½ miles south off Stadium Drive.
    — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of venerable
Adjective
  • Today, the shoe’s upper combines leather and textiles, for breathability, and a wide range of color combinations that keep in line with the distinct, retro roots that are certainly trending.
    — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
  • The first 5,000 fans will get an inaugural game rematch pennant, and there will be retro Clash merchandise in the team stores.
    — Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of retro
Noun
  • The report details the state of the relics, which include her body, left arm and heart in Alba de Tormes.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • There are precious antiques and everyday relics, among them dishware, gadgets, and appliances of every era.
    — Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of relic
Adjective
  • Not medieval Spain, but as recently as the 1980s in the Soviet Union.
    — Olga & Igor Alterman, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Sonja Drimmer is an associate professor of medieval art and architecture at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the author of The Art of Allusion: Illuminators and the Making of English Literature, 1403–1476 (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2018). NOTES 1.
    — Sonja Drimmer, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of medieval
Adjective
  • The historic program last won the title in 2016, led by MVP Breanna Stewart.
    — Allison Smith, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • These have included exhibits about the Mayan people, the experiences of undocumented migrants who crossed the Sonoran Desert from Mexico, Islamic fashion and Indiana’s historic Angel Mounds, which are the remains of Native American villages dating from the 10th to 13th centuries.
    — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of historic

Browse Nearby Words

antiquation
antique
antiques
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Cite this Entry

“Antique.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antique. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on antique

Nglish: Translation of antique for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about antique

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