1
as in maturity
the state of being an old person
if nothing else, the patriarch had achieved a degree of ancientness worthy of veneration
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in antiquity
the state of being something old
the ancientness of the papyrus was authenticated by carbon dating
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 ancientness
Since war broke out in late February, the show in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia province, had grown increasingly popular, as interest surges among Chinese people in a nearby nation and culture that rivals their own in its depth and ancientness.
—
Sylvie Zhuang,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
Sylvie Zhuang,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ancientness
Noun
-
When questions are not really questions Children don’t have the experience or emotional maturity to weigh in on every decision or determine what happens next.
-
The teenage phenom is able to complement his obvious technical skills with a flair and maturity in high-pressure situations that is well beyond his years.
Noun
-
Last year, the NCMM received 113 Benin Bronzes from the Netherlands—the largest single return of Benin antiquities directly linked to the 1897 British looting, according to the commission.
-
Priceless artifacts stolen from these temples would then end up in the hands of unscrupulous antiquities dealers.
Noun
-
In fact, research shows that when given the choice, on-site work remains the least popular option across every age range according to Gallup.
-
Perfect for children ages 3-5, the event starts by reading Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert.
Cite this Entry
“Ancientness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancientness. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
