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 museum has a world-class collection, including works by iconic artists like da Vinci, Monet, and Van Gogh, alongside ancient artifacts.
    — Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Leland presented European material as the survival of an ancient pagan cult—moreover, a paganism that had been demonized by Christianity.
    — Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of ancient
Adjective
  • Like a vintage automobile that’s been kept in fine tune, this one hums like a V8, right from the turn of the key.
    — Laura Ness, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Located in the heart of downtown St. Augustine, the inn features elegant guest rooms and suites that have been completely restored inside nine vintage structures—the oldest dating back to 1790.
    — Kara Franker, Southern Living, 13 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 Pitt was created by R. Scott Gemmill, a former writer and producer on ER, the venerable Emmy-winning series that ran 15 seasons on NBC.
    — Randall Colburn, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Kronos Quartet Over more than five decades, musicians in this venerable contemporary classical group have paid homage to Sun Ra and incorporated space sounds recorded by NASA into their music.
    — Neda Ulaby, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of venerable
Adjective
  • Built in 1958, the charmingly retro 3,899 square foot, four bedroom, four bathroom property is going for $4.95 million.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Typically following retro design cues, many of Hazan's masterpieces are more at home in an art gallery than on the street alongside commuters – with some bikes going for as much as US$125,000.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 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
  • Also, the pass includes several mountain excursions and free admission to more than 500 museums throughout Switzerland. Not to be missed is the medieval town of Gruyères about 80 miles from Geneva.
    — Jeryl Brunner, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The stakes of the story become ever more human-on-human, with zombies largely relegated to one epic battle that sits at the cinematic junction of western, medieval and samurai.
    — Mike Hale, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of medieval
Adjective
  • Gain an edge with CNBC Pro LIVE , an exclusive, inaugural event at the historic New York Stock Exchange.
    — Brian Evans, CNBC, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Chamizal, a national memorial: 800 S San Marcial St, El Paso El Camino Real de los Tejas, a national historic trail: see trail map here El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, a national historic trail: runs through Texas and New Mexico.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 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 23 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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