ancient 1 of 2

1
2
3

ancient

2 of 2

noun

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When is obsolete a more appropriate choice than ancient?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
Pictures show the Christian tomb complex with crosses, ancient graves and a variety of bones and fragments. Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2025 Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico This UNESCO World Heritage Site features ancient Puebloan structures aligned with solar events like Casa Rinconada. Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 6 June 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
Adjective
  • The book, published by the venerable San Francisco press, takes a look at the changes people made during the COVID-19 lockdowns and offers a cautiously hopeful view of humanity going forward.
    Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 25 June 2025
  • The chain grew quickly in the wake of the 2013 demise of Dominick’s, a venerable Chicago grocer, which was shuttered by its parent company, Safeway.
    Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
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
Noun
  • These cranes are known for their resilience and strong familial bonds, often migrating in flocks that include young birds guided by their experienced elders.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
  • Most prominently, after a shocking murder devastates Jackson, the town elders convene a community-wide meeting to debate whether or not to dispatch a team to avenge his death.
    Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • On his way back to the canteen for one of those soft pretzels, Phil saw that the Jasper Gunn Mummy was also being exhibited, accompanied by a display of antique cowboy toys.
    Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 18 June 2025
  • From a Scandinavian-meets-farmhouse abode to a Dallas dwelling with antique touches, refined spaces around the world feature this frame type.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • Sculpting a modern tale about a porcelain company that’s 250 years old has a lot to do with understanding how younger generations come together, dine and entertain.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 17 June 2025
  • International students make up about 27% of the student body at the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university.
    Andy Rose, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Set five years after Jurassic World: Dominion, the movie sees an expedition brave isolated equatorial regions to extract DNA from three massive prehistoric creatures for a groundbreaking medical breakthrough.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 18 June 2025
  • Humans, therefore, are assumed to be inherently tribal because of our prehistoric ancestors.
    Dr. Rami Kaminski, Time, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • Medicaid and green energy cuts Some of the largest cost savings in the package come from the GOP plan to impose new work requirements on able-bodied single adults, ages 18 to 64 and without dependents, who receive Medicaid, the health care program used by 80 million Americans.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 17 June 2025
  • Most exoskeletons on the market are made for adults, can't be scaled down due to large backpacks full of batteries, and come with breathtaking price tags of up to $500,000.
    Alan Schwarz, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • The demand for the ephemera of genius might be viewed as an update on the medieval crowds who flocked to the (various) churches that claimed to have the foreskin of Christ.
    S. C. Cornell, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
  • The medieval heart of this 955-year-old city is home to one of the most high-tech waste management systems in the world.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ancient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancient. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ancient

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!