anachronistic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anachronistic" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is out of its proper time period, often referring to an object, idea, or event that is misplaced in time. Example: "The use of a typewriter in a modern office setting feels anachronistic, as most companies have switched to computers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The old chestnut about Nato's purpose voiced by the first Nato secretary general, Lord Ismay – "to keep the Russians out, the Americans in" – looked hopelessly anachronistic.

The Guardian

We don't need to sustain clowning if clowning has become anachronistic.

The Guardian

The idea of a British army ever again confronting a national army of a hostile state, or groups of insurgents, in the open is anachronistic.

The Guardian

Gunning rejected the idea that his Bowland shoot was an anachronistic country pursuit for the upper classes.

The Guardian

This kneejerk diplomatic kowtowing, embedded in the thinking of a cold war, 1980s world that no longer exists, looks increasingly anachronistic and warrants close scrutiny.

The Guardian

Even more effectively for the Lib Dem claim, Clegg can point to the trade-off with the Tories' anachronistic enthusiasm for a married couples tax allowance.

The Guardian - Opinion

We don't use anachronistic words or references to our own contemporary culture in the way that Benedict Andrews did with such joy in Three Sisters, but we have tried to make a language that is simple and clear and economic.

The Guardian

It's true that some conservatives like Michaelia Cash think the fight for women's equality is over and the concept of feminism is anachronistic.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's a true representation of the portion of British youth whose parents force them to read print newspapers – and possibly also force them to take part in other anachronistic endeavours like wearing zoot suits and rationing eggs – and therefore have the least amount of fun.

The Guardian

Some of you will doubtless declare the latter is totally anachronistic.

The Guardian - Sport

Its attempt at provocative anachronistic dialogue – basically, swearing – will do little to scandalise the 18th-century historian, for contrary to popular opinion swearing was not invented by the Sex Pistols in 1976.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "anachronistic" to precisely describe something that is not only old but also misplaced in time, creating a sense of incongruity or inappropriateness.

Common error

Avoid using "anachronistic" when simply "old" or "outdated" suffices. "Anachronistic" implies a temporal mismatch, not just age.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "anachronistic" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that is misplaced or out of its time, as Ludwig examples demonstrate. It's used to highlight the incongruity of something existing outside its appropriate historical context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

23%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "anachronistic" is an adjective used to describe something misplaced in time, often implying irrelevance or incongruity. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When using "anachronistic", ensure you're emphasizing a temporal mismatch, not just oldness. Consider alternatives like "outdated" or "obsolete" if the temporal aspect isn't central. Its presence across diverse and authoritative sources reinforces its proper and frequent use in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outdated

Refers to something that is no longer current or fashionable.

obsolete

Indicates something that is no longer produced or used; out of date.

antiquated

Suggests something is old-fashioned or out of date.

old-fashioned

Describes something that is characteristic of or belonging to a past era; not modern.

behind the times

Means not being aware of or following current developments or trends.

out of date

Simply means no longer current or fashionable.

anachronic

A more technical synonym, directly related to an anachronism.

past its prime

Indicates something that was once at its best but is no longer so.

superannuated

Means obsolete through age or new technological or intellectual developments.

outmoded

Similar to outdated, but perhaps more specifically about styles or systems.

FAQs

How do you use "anachronistic" in a sentence?

You can use "anachronistic" to describe something out of place in time. For example, "The rotary phone in the modern office felt "anachronistic"".

What is a synonym for "anachronistic"?

Synonyms for "anachronistic" include "outdated", "obsolete", and "antiquated". However, "anachronistic" specifically implies a temporal mismatch.

When is it appropriate to use the word "anachronistic"?

Use "anachronistic" when referring to something that is misplaced in time, such as a character in a historical drama using a smartphone.

What's the difference between "anachronistic" and "outdated"?

"Outdated" simply means something is no longer current or fashionable. "Anachronistic", however, means something is so out of place in time that it seems incongruous or impossible for it to exist in that period.