GRE Words for Old and Ancient

These 8 GRE words all share the meaning of old and ancient. Studying them as one cluster is far more efficient than learning each in isolation, because the GRE tests words by how they relate to each other. Each entry below links to a full definition page with example sentences and memory hooks.

Why this cluster matters

On Sentence Equivalence you must choose two words that give the sentence the same meaning. That means the answer is almost always a synonym pair pulled from a cluster like this one. Watch the connotation tone on each word: a positive and a negative word rarely form a correct pair, even when their definitions look close.

The 8 words

anachronisticadjectiveNegative tone

Belonging to a period other than that being portrayed; out of place in time

antediluvianadjectiveNegative tone

Of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood; ridiculously old-fashioned

antiquatedadjectiveNegative tone

Old-fashioned or outdated

archaicadjectiveNegative tone

Very old or old-fashioned; from an earlier period

hoaryadjectiveNeutral tone

Gray or white with age; old and trite

obsoleteadjectiveNegative tone

No longer produced or used; out of date

primordialadjectiveNeutral tone

Existing at or from the beginning of time; primeval

venerableadjectivePositive tone

Accorded great respect because of age, wisdom, or character

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