The retro feel of this cafe is a hit with young people.
Source: tatoeba (59718)
Retro
/ˈɹɛt.ɹəʊ/
Synonyms for "retro" (67 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (14)
Adjective(11 words)
american pastancient timesantique chinaantique objectantiquisharchaicarchaic usagebackwardlyclassicclassic workcondemnation
Noun(3 words)
Strong matches (20)
Adjective(15 words)
critiquedateddated electronicsdisapprovalearlier erasex post factoexclamationfustierheppesthistoric stylehistorical aestheticinterjectionliving fossilnoncontemporarynostalgia
Noun(4 words)
Verb(1 words)
Related words (33)
Adjective(24 words)
nostalgia labelnostalgicnostalgicallyobsoleteold fashionedold fashioned classroomold styleold timesold-fashionedold-fashionedlyold-timeoldenoutmodedretro styleretro tagretroactiveretroactivelythrowbackthrowback labelunfashionable person
Show 4 more words
Noun(9 words)
old style designold-fashioned dresspaisley-patterned fabricpaisley-patterned scarfreduxrotary dialschoolhousespeakeasyvacuum-tube based
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: american past, analog-era, ancient times, antique china, antique object.
- Sentence evidence is available for retro, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from derived_reverse, opengloss, wordnet.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "retro".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "retro"
Keep "retro" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "retro" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "retro", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "retro" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
17 entriesadverb of manneraestheticcategorydesign descriptordesign styledesignationdiscourse markerexclamationfashionfashion terminterjectionlabelmanner adverbstylestyling term
Showing 16 of 17 words.
More specific
17 entriesdated patternmidcentury designnostalgicallyobsolete technologyoutmoded stylepejorative exclamationretro fashionretro furnitureretro gadgetretro musicretroactive amendmentretroactive applicationstyle cuethrowback stylevintage cuevintage fashion
Showing 16 of 17 words.
Collocations
12 entriespostwar designretro aestheticsretro designretro fashionretro furnitureretro lookretro styleretro trendretro viberetroactive policythrowback stylevintage look
Inflections
2 entriesmore retromost retro
Derivations
8 entriessimilar
1 entriesSample sentences
10 total sentences available.
It's retro.
Source: tatoeba (6576878)
Retro! Nice outfit! What is that: disco?
Source: tatoeba (6581510)
Tom likes retro gaming.
Source: tatoeba (6926106)
Showing 4 of 10 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "retro"?
Closest matches include american past, analog-era, ancient times, antique china, antique object.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "retro"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.