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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When is obsolete a more appropriate choice than ancient?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
Moreover, ancient Korean court music and its instruments became an obsession with the echt-California composer Lou Harrison. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025 One relatively new method for studying ancient bones is palaeoproteomics, the study of preserved proteins. Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 5 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
  • Nearly 25 years have passed since an upstart Harlem minister tried to unseat the venerable Charlie Rangel, as much an institution as the Apollo Theater or the nearby Lenox Lounge.
    Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 31 May 2025
  • This is thanks to the venerable Hass variety, discovered in the 1920s by a Pasadena mail carrier-turned-grower, Rudolph Hass.
    Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 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
  • Columnist Steve Lopez asks: If people taking care of our elders get deported, will anyone take their place?
    Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
  • Every day of inaction is an act of aggression against the system that protects our elders from poverty and indignity.
    Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Adjective
  • An antique mirror from the same time frame is also on display.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 27 May 2025
  • Similarly, Ralph Lauren has reminded shoppers of its legacy, trading space-age materials for oak walls, antique fixtures and vintage paintings. 4.
    Simon Hathaway, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Former New College student Katie Helms, 47, got emotional when remembering her old mentor.
    Toria Sheffield, People.com, 25 May 2025
Adjective
  • The obvious difference is the lack of a coastal element, as Sand Valley’s courses are spread across 12,000 acres of prehistoric sand dunes.
    Erik Matuszewski, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
  • Beneath the surface of Warm Mineral Springs, divers have discovered prehistoric remains dating back 10,000 years.
    Sean Kingsley, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025
Noun
  • The study, detailed this week in the journal Scientific Reports, found that a slight majority (57.1 percent) of adult chimpanzees observed would yawn in response to seeing the android head yawn.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 5 June 2025
  • This shift marks a generational change in how adult content is consumed.
    Rachel Hale, USA Today, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Seton Hall Prep: Sweeney’s father had been a professor of medieval English at Seton Hall University.
    Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
  • The new property stands out not only for its elegant interiors, but also for its home in a 12th-century castle with medieval history.
    Opheli Garcia Lawler, AFAR Media, 29 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ancient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancient. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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