as in traditional
tending to favor established ideas, conditions, or institutions
an old-line professor who still taught as if it were 1930
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Recent Examples of old-line
Among the festival organizers, Yarrow was an advocate for the topical songwriting and contemporary sounds that some old-line folk aficionados resisted.
—
Jon Pareles, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Among the festival organizers, Yarrow was an advocate for the topical songwriting and contemporary sounds that some old-line folk aficionados resisted.
—Jon Pareles, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Her main opponent is expected to be Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Virginia), 74, who is considered a more mainstream, old-line Democratic figure.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 Dec. 2024
On the other hand, the old-line producers knew how to tap into the classic novels of Dickens or Steinbeck to spin out great stories with legendary stars.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2024
Overall, the result was a success story that old-line competitors couldn’t match.
—Bhopi Dhall and Saurajit Kanungo, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024
And without these old-line agencies bleeding taxpayers dry, New York will have funds to put these better alternatives in place.
—Richard Wexler, New York Daily News, 13 May 2024
Renowned for ancient churches and the tomb of Dante, the 14th-century poet, the city of Ravenna and its environs along Italy’s Adriatic coast are also home to old-line industries like steel and fertilizer.
—Stanley Reed, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Trump would also face a Congress less inclined to impose such constraints, having established ideological mastery of the Republican Party, whose old-line elites can no longer claim that his agenda is aberrant and must be resisted.
—Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 19 Feb. 2024
Jon Pareles, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Among the festival organizers, Yarrow was an advocate for the topical songwriting and contemporary sounds that some old-line folk aficionados resisted.
—Jon Pareles, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Her main opponent is expected to be Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Virginia), 74, who is considered a more mainstream, old-line Democratic figure.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 Dec. 2024
On the other hand, the old-line producers knew how to tap into the classic novels of Dickens or Steinbeck to spin out great stories with legendary stars.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2024
Overall, the result was a success story that old-line competitors couldn’t match.
—Bhopi Dhall and Saurajit Kanungo, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024
And without these old-line agencies bleeding taxpayers dry, New York will have funds to put these better alternatives in place.
—Richard Wexler, New York Daily News, 13 May 2024
Renowned for ancient churches and the tomb of Dante, the 14th-century poet, the city of Ravenna and its environs along Italy’s Adriatic coast are also home to old-line industries like steel and fertilizer.
—Stanley Reed, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Trump would also face a Congress less inclined to impose such constraints, having established ideological mastery of the Republican Party, whose old-line elites can no longer claim that his agenda is aberrant and must be resisted.
—Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 19 Feb. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old-line
Adjective
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An additional 18 pot still whiskeys won Gold, demonstrating that Ireland’s most traditional whiskey style continues to elevate the standards for flavor, complexity, and craftsmanship.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
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The left-handed bat seems to have a more traditional torpedo shape.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
15 July 2025
Adjective
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Farrier grew up in New Zealand and attended a conservative Christian school.—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
21 July 2025
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The Real Source of Risk The GENIUS Act actually tightens the relationship between money and its underlying assets, making the monetary system arguably more conservative and perhaps more rigid.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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Funds could support conservative seminaries like Nashotah House, a conservative seminary in the Anglican tradition, or pastors from the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference, ensuring orthodox leadership for historic churches.—
The Rev. Jake Dell,
Hartford Courant,
7 July 2025
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The religious advisory board includes Christian and Jewish members from traditions including Catholicism, evangelicalism, Greek Orthodox Christianity and orthodox Judaism.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Old-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old-line. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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