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ancient

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of ancient

1 dating or surviving from the distant past

  • Romeʼs ancient ruins remain carefully preserved even in the midst of the bustle of the modern city
Synonyms of ancient

aged, age-old, antediluvian, antique, dateless, hoar, hoary, immemorial, old, venerable
Words Related to ancient

aging (or ageing), mature

antiquated, archaic, archaistic, dated, fusty, geriatric, medieval (also mediaeval), moldy, Noachian, obsolete, outmoded, out-of-date, passé

old-fashioned, old-time, old-world, retro, vintage

durable, enduring, lasting, long-lived, permanent

ageless, hallowed, time-honored, timeless, time-tested, timeworn, traditional, tried, tried-and-true

classic, classical

prehistoric (also prehistorical), primeval, primordial
Near Antonyms of ancient

fresh, vernal, young, youthful

contemporary, current, latest, mod, novel, present-day, ultramodern

untested, untried

brand-new, unused, unworn
Antonyms of ancient

modern, new, recent

2 being of advanced years and especially past middle age

  • used to think that age 40 was ancient until I turned 40 myself
Synonyms of ancient

aged, aging (or ageing), elderly, geriatric, long-lived, old, older, over-the-hill, senescent, senior, unyoung
Words Related to ancient

centenarian, nonagenarian, octogenarian, septuagenarian, sexagenarian

oldish

adult, grown-up, mature, middle-aged

pensioned, retired, superannuated

matriarchal, patriarchal, venerable

anile, decrepit, doddering, senile, spavined, tottery

overage (also overaged)
Phrases Synonymous with ancient

long in the tooth, of a certain age
Near Antonyms of ancient

ageless

youngish

adolescent, immature, juvenile, preteen, puerile

minor, underage

callow, green, inexperienced, raw

babyish, childish, childlike, infantile, infantine, kiddish
Antonyms of ancient

young, youthful

3 relating to or occurring near the beginning of a process, series, or time period

  • the ancient Inca built a vast network of roads
Synonyms of ancient

early, primal, primeval, primitive, primordial
Words Related to ancient

budding, embryonic, germinal, infant

aged, age-old, antediluvian, antiquated, antique, dateless, hoary, old, prehistoric (also prehistorical)

obsolete, outmoded, out-of-date, passé
Near Antonyms of ancient

advanced, complex, developed, evolved, high, higher

full-blown, full-fledged, full-scale
Antonyms of ancient

late

Synonym Discussion of ancient

old, ancient, venerable, antique, antiquated, archaic, obsolete mean having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past. old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence.
    • old houses
    • an old sweater of mine
ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past.
    • ancient accounts of dragons
venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age.
    • the family's venerable patriarch
antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time.
    • collected antique Chippendale furniture
antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time.
    • antiquated teaching methods
archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time.
    • the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period
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

ancient

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of ancient

a person of advanced years

  • ancients in the tribe are accorded great respect and valued for their wisdom
Synonyms of ancient

elder, geriatric, golden-ager, old-timer, oldster, senior, senior citizen
Words Related to ancient

gaffer, graybeard, patriarch, whitebeard

beldam (or beldame), dowager, grandam (or grandame)

adult, grown-up

dotard
Near Antonyms of ancient

adolescent, minor

child, cub, juvenile, kid, kiddie (also kiddy)
Antonyms of ancient

youngster, youth

Learn More about ancient

  1. Dictionary: Definition of ancient Spanish Central: Translation of ancient Nglish: Translation of ancient for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ancient for Arabic speakers

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