venerable

adjective

ˈve-nər(-ə)-bəl How to pronounce venerable (audio)
Definition of venerablenext
1
as in venerated
deserving honor and respect especially by reason of age the venerable old man was a cherished source of advice and wisdom for the villagers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ancient
dating or surviving from the distant past a venerable tradition that colleges have been maintaining for centuries

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective venerable differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of venerable are ancient, antiquated, antique, archaic, obsolete, and old. While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age.

the family's venerable patriarch

When might ancient be a better fit than venerable?

While in some cases nearly identical to venerable, ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past.

ancient accounts of dragons

In what contexts can antiquated take the place of venerable?

The synonyms antiquated and venerable are sometimes interchangeable, but antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

antiquated teaching methods

When is antique a more appropriate choice than venerable?

The meanings of antique and venerable largely overlap; however, antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time.

collected antique Chippendale furniture

When would archaic be a good substitute for venerable?

While the synonyms archaic and venerable are close in meaning, archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time.

the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period

Where would obsolete be a reasonable alternative to venerable?

In some situations, the words obsolete and venerable are roughly equivalent. 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 could old be used to replace venerable?

The words old and venerable can be used in similar contexts, but old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence.

old houses
an old sweater of mine

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 venerable In 2025, that's Samsung, which no longer offers the venerable port on its Galaxy A-series phones. —Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 28 Mar. 2025 In fact, the B-1 can carry more ordnance than its venerable predecessor, the B-52. —Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 At the top of each is the venerable K-771 compression driver for high frequencies, but with a new, wide-dispersion extended phase plug that delivers greater clarity and a wider, more consistent soundstage. —Robert Ross, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2025 The pharmacy, a centuries-long institution and venerable presence in communities around the world, is evolving before our eyes. —Jenn Vande Zande, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for venerable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for venerable
  1. ancient
  2. revered
  3. old
  4. respectable
  5. antique
  6. medieval
Adjective
  • Colossal scientists have created three dire wolf pups by using ancient DNA, cloning and gene-editing technology to alter the genes of a gray wolf, the prehistoric dire wolf’s closest living relative, the company announced Monday.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Nobody had ever birthed a mammal that had ancient DNA in it.
    — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of ancient
Adjective
  • Beyond comforting vanilla and feel-good marshmallows, there’s a new delectable gourmand capturing the hearts of revered perfumers everywhere: nuts.
    — Venus Wong, Refinery29, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Edward Witten is a revered string theorist and, quite possibly, the smartest person alive.
    — Sheon Han, Wired News, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of revered
Adjective
  • My father, Mila’s grandfather, after whom she is named, was five years old at the time.
    — David Bezmozgis, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Desk calendar Your old phone can be repurposed as your personal calendar.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of old
Adjective
  • Further back, Kimi Antonelli in sixth impressed in his Mercedes, setting the fastest lap of the race, while home favorite Yuki Tsunoda fought through to a respectable P12 in his first race for Red Bull.
    — Luke Smith, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Episode one debuted on Paramount+ on March 30, and critics have high praise for the series, rating it 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, with audiences following close behind at a respectable 67% rating.
    — Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of respectable
Adjective
  • The nonprofit is offering a $500 reward per set for the return of the antique doors.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Among the weird things people left behind were a full sheet of uncut $2 bills, a toilet seat, silicone butt pads, a rattlesnake preserved in a jar of whiskey and an antique French guide to performing exorcisms.
    — Zach Wichter, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of antique
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

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veneers
venerable
venerableness
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Cite this Entry

“Venerable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/venerable. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on venerable

Nglish: Translation of venerable for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about venerable

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