old-timer

noun

ˈōl(d)-ˈtī-mər How to pronounce old-timer (audio)
Definition of old-timernext
1
as in elder
a person of advanced years a group of old-timers playing shuffleboard

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in veteran
a person with long experience in a specified area old-timers in the fishing industry couldn't remember a time when catches were so low

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 old-timer Cap Conover was an old-timer, having come from Wisconsin 20 years before to settle into a life of trapping on the river. — Anton Money, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026 The old-timers try to stay in touch. — Miami Herald, 27 May 2026 For every grousing old-timer who felt that Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman was contaminating the genre came another who expressed sheer joy that such a show even existed. — Literary Hub, 18 May 2026 Some bargain hunters poked around, while a handful of old-timers walked the halls for exercise. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for old-timer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old-timer
  1. elder
  2. veteran
  3. oldster
  4. adult
  5. geriatric
  6. ancient
Noun
  • Fawn Youngbear-Tibbetts, the group's executive director, said then that recordings of elders' stories on old tapes were likely melted.
    — Eric Henderson, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The day of the shooting, after Roberts took his own life at the scene, while the victims were flown to the nearest hospital, an Amish elder publicly forgave Roberts before the news cameras.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of elder
Noun
  • Then Kreiz took the mallet and landed a cannon-shot ring on the bell that was so loud that one of the Citadel traders turned around in shock, and even Wall Street veteran Gerry Cardinale’s eyebrows were raised.
    — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Seiber, 40, was a father of two and an Air Force veteran who served 10 years with the Philadelphia Police Department.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of veteran
Noun
  • Enough with the oldsters, what about those kids?
    — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 4 June 2026
  • With each passing day, its oldster cast — including Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, and Geena Davis — is closer to the grave.
    — Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
Definition of oldster
Noun
  • The Child Mind Institute notes that losing a close friendship can be emotionally painful for young people, and urges adults to take those experiences seriously rather than brushing them off.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Mitte was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of 3 and, as an adult, served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of adult
Noun
  • The hospital complex in San Francisco was ranked top nationally in several specialties as well, including geriatrics, pulmonology — the treatment of respiratory conditions — and lung surgery.
    — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The report rated hospital performance in 14 specialties or specialty areas, ranging from cancer to geriatrics to urology.
    — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of geriatric
Noun
  • The exhibit features several dozen dinosaur animatronics that fully loom and roar, and a virtual aquarium stocked with swimming ancients.
    — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 21 May 2026
  • Sitting alone among these ancients can be a profound experience.
    — Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025
Definition of ancient

Browse Nearby Words

old-time
old-timer
old-timers
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Cite this Entry

“Old-timer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old-timer. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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