ancient 1 of 2

adjective

ˈān(t)-shənt How to pronounce ancient (audio)
Definition of ancientnext
1
as in venerable
dating or surviving from the distant past Rome's ancient ruins remain carefully preserved even in the midst of the bustle of the modern city

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in older
being of advanced years and especially past middle age used to think that age 40 was ancient until I turned 40 myself

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in primitive
relating to or occurring near the beginning of a process, series, or time period the ancient Inca built a vast network of roads

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ancient

2 of 2

noun

as in elder
a person of advanced years ancients in the tribe are accorded great respect and valued for their wisdom

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ancient differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ancient are antiquated, antique, archaic, obsolete, old, and venerable. While all these words mean "having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past," ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past.

ancient accounts of dragons

When can antiquated be used instead of ancient?

The meanings of antiquated and ancient largely overlap; however, antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.

antiquated teaching methods

When is it sensible to use antique instead of ancient?

Although the words antique and ancient have much in common, antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time.

collected antique Chippendale furniture

When could archaic be used to replace ancient?

The words archaic and ancient are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time.

the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period

When is obsolete a more appropriate choice than ancient?

While the synonyms obsolete and ancient are close in meaning, obsolete may apply to something regarded as no longer acceptable or useful even though it is still in existence.

a computer that makes earlier models obsolete

When would old be a good substitute for ancient?

The words old and ancient can be used in similar contexts, but old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence.

old houses
an old sweater of mine

When might venerable be a better fit than ancient?

The synonyms venerable and ancient are sometimes interchangeable, but venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age.

the family's venerable patriarch

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 ancient
Adjective
Using this ratio to calculate the ages of crystals within different layers of ancient rock, the researchers determined how the rock grew or eroded over time. —Ars Technica, 28 Feb. 2025 What caused the decline of ancient Alexandria? For centuries, historians have pinned the decline of Alexandra’s most important historical sites on its Arab conquerors: the Persians in 616 C.E., then ‘Amr ibn al-ʿĀṣ in 642. —Hannah Edgar, ARTnews.com, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
Read More: These 5 Ancient Civilizations Treasured Their Pets Coping with Critters The discovery of archeological remains has helped scientists better understand how ancients coped with bothersome critters. —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2025 No full moons, no silver bullets, no ancients curses and the like, just a title card at the beginning of the film stating that wolf man sightings have been a phenomenon since indigenious peoples ruled the Americas. —Scott Phillips, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ancient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ancient
  1. venerable
  2. primitive
  3. elder
  4. antique
  5. old
  6. prehistoric
  7. adult
  8. medieval
Adjective
  • The venerable travel outfitter Abercrombie & Kent recently announced the launch of A&K Private Estates, a collection of five lavish villas located in some of Tuscany’s most picturesque towns.
    — Passport by ForbesLife, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
  • The venerable late-night sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live is celebrating its 50th anniversary season this year.
    — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025
Definition of venerable
Adjective
  • Houde said these mammoth animals are a primitive group of proboscideans ('elephantoids') from which modern elephants evolved.
    — Joseph J. Kolb, Fox News, 18 July 2017
  • Many are primitive and remote, and don’t have restrooms or water.
    — OregonLive.com, OregonLive.com, 12 July 2017
Definition of primitive
Noun
  • There's a child, someone middle-aged, and an elder in the painting.
    — Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 25 Feb. 2025
  • With its local connection and timely message of turning a listening ear to elders, the film’s screening—happening Saturday, February 22—is already sold out.
    — Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2025
Definition of elder
Adjective
  • Stores like Washburn Imports, AT Furniture & Antiques, Echoes of Retro, Diversion, Out of the Closet Orlando, and Bamboo & Foo all make up the dense collection of vintage clothing, furniture, and antique stores in this neighborhood.
    — Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2025
  • The vintage and antique dealers exhibiting at the TEFAF Maastricht art fair represent dealers and galleries throughout Europe and the United States.
    — Anthony DeMarco, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of antique
Adjective
  • At just 10 years old, Romeo made his modeling debut in a 2013 Burberry Kids campaign, which also featured Cara Delevingne, after he was named the face of the brand’s children’s line.
    — Angel Saunders, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson were the only players to hit that mark at 28 years old.
    — Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of old
Adjective
  • The prehistoric markings were found in White Sands National Park by a team from Bournemouth University.
    — Tessa Solomon for ARTnews, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Inside the Jardin des Tuileries and in time to Robert Wilson’s choreography, models walked beneath a prehistoric flying bird and enormous boulders descended from the ceiling, over hot lava projected onto the ground, and around icebergs emerging from the floor.
    — Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of prehistoric
Noun
  • Just this week, a charter school in south Chicago informed parents that an adult was detained by federal immigration officers while dropping off children.
    — Anna Giaritelli, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Still, he’s racked with guilt over falling short as the only adult in the group.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of adult
Adjective
  • Well, while Shrek 5 is set in a Far, Far Away, the feudal system and medieval garb suggests it’s loosely based around the 15th century, and probably in England.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The Magic Books: A History of Enchantment in 20 Medieval Manuscripts By Anne Lawrence-Mathers Yale University Press: 368 pages, $38 (March 11) Our medieval forebears saw nothing inconsistent between devout Christian faith and deep belief in magic.
    — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of medieval

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Cite this Entry

“Ancient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancient. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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