RELIC Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

relic

noun

ˈre-lik

Definition of relic

as in artifact

a tiny often physical indication of something lost or vanished a crude stone ax and other relics of the Neanderthals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in antique

something belonging to or surviving from an earlier period in my grandparents' attic are many "groovy" relics from the 1960s

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as in dinosaur

one that has passed the peak of effectiveness or popularity his courtly manners marked him as a relic of a more refined and formal era

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in remains

relics plural a dead body though it is believed that missionary died in New Guinea, his relics have never been found

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 relic When it was closed down in 1539, its treasures, books and relics were seized and its lands and buildings sold off, some to local nobles and gentry, some to the town authorities of Bury. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026 There was the innovative foldable Samsung mobile phone launched in 2020, now a coveted relic of collaborations past. — Zachary Weiss, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2026 In the capital, worshippers carried a fragment of Donskoy’s relics through the streets in a procession led by Kirill. — Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026 The child, the now-teenaged James Fulton Engstrom, is slated to present relics of Sheen at the ceremony, accompanied by his family, who had sought Sheen's intercession for healing. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for relic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for relic

Noun

On-site boutiques and convenience stores add ease, while thoughtfully placed artifacts and local artwork deepen the connection to Hawaiian culture.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
The flick follows an elder antique trader who dredges up a 500-year-old artifact that invigorates him with youth but has the unfortunate side effect of turning him into a vampire.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of artifact

Noun

The backstory Personas in the hotel’s backstory include a Thai rockstar-slash-antiques collector, a devout Buddhist business tycoon, and a superstar designer.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
His parents — his mother was an interior designer and his stepfather worked in the antiques trade — would wear Gaultier.

— Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of antique

Noun

Founded in 1812, and opened to the public in 1828, the Academy of Natural Sciences was the first place in the world to display a dinosaur skeleton, back in 1868.

— Andrew Stelzer, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
One of the more notable objects is a full Psittacosaurus skeleton, a small, plant-eating dinosaur with a distinctive beak.

— Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of dinosaur

Noun

Another 11 roach corpses were between cooling units and shelves.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
Dominique Bailey and Kevin Spencer were found guilty of third-degree murder, conspiracy, abuse of corpse and related charges, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said Tuesday.

— Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of corpse

Noun

His heart valves showed no signs of bacterial growth, but trace backflow was detected across one of his valves, a finding present in most people.

— Leah Pierson, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026
This is the second British hotel by the brand behind the Orient Express, and although traces of those trains can be found in the doorman’s redcoats and the receptionist’s bow tie, this is not the sort of place that requires a gown for dinner.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of trace

Noun

The manuscript Wayne read to us that night chronicled his involvement with Gloria Swanson, the towering star of Hollywood’s Golden Age who enjoyed latter-day acclaim in 1950 playing a delusional has-been in Sunset Boulevard.

— Mike Hogan, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026
That career move quickly fizzled, leaving a sloppy drunk has-been in the debris.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of has-been

Noun

Scores of the calf carcasses have been washing ashore around Peninsula Valdes, a major breeding ground for southern right whales in Argentina’s Chubut province.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
For instance, the Department of Natural Resources submitted a rule for legislative approval that sets up containment areas and disposes of carcasses for diseased animals.

— CBS News, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of carcass

Browse Nearby Words

reliant

relic

relics

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Relic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relic. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of relic

noun

Example Sentences

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