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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When is obsolete a more appropriate choice than ancient?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
But such words often have ancient roots, and the longer the history, the murkier the evidence gets. Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025 The kitchen was minuscule and outfitted with ancient appliances. Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 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 venerable department store had long been in denial about the depth of its problems, said Spring, who took the reins of Macy’s Inc in early 2024 after a successful decade-long stint as CEO of its Bloomingdale’s division.
    Phil Wahba, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Los Angeles has the venerable Griffith Observatory, the scene of James Dean's knife fight in 1955's Rebel Without A Cause and where swooning lovers swayed among stars in 2016's La La Land.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The range of the monster drawings included primitive people, giant spiders, serpents, snails and fantastical fish.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Will there be future fairy tales about birds whose feathers glow in the dark nesting in the ruins of primitive power plants of past ages?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The monastery is central to the story, and its elder—named Zosima in the novel—comforts a woman who has lost her child, aged two years and nine months, with words that echo those uttered by Ambrose.
    Karl Ove Knausgaard, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Their flowers, red, rose above the courtyard and the divan where the village elders met, over the ten balconies and the stairway windows.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The furniture and decor brand, dreamed up by founder Louise Roe, celebrates the gardens and cherished heirlooms of the English countryside with handmade wicker, antique homewares, chintz, and ditsy floral fabrics.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The robbers struck in broad daylight, while the museum was open, and targeted a specific number of antique jewels.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The residency blues In politics, fighting over where candidates live is a tale as old as time.
    Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Lutnick handed the reins of the company to his 27-year-old son, and his other son also works at Cantor.
    Melanie Hicken, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Long an obstacle to humans seeking to continue down the river, the Falls of the Ohio offer a peek into prehistoric life.
    Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Oct. 2025
  • In the badlands of eastern Wyoming, the Lance Formation is a trove of prehistoric fossils.
    Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Actis was arrested in Davidson County and charged with exploitation of an elder adult and felony larceny, police said.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Research has also found that high-protein breakfasts help to stabilize blood sugar, reduce mid-morning energy slumps, support metabolism and maintain muscle mass, especially in older adults.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Parts of those medieval fortifications can still be seen today in the museum’s lower levels.
    Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Bruges’ historic city center is seen in the background, including the Belfry of Bruges — a medieval bell tower built around around 1240.
    Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ancient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancient. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

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