ANCIENT Synonyms: 158 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

ancient 1 of 2

adjective

ˈān(t)-shənt

Definition of ancient

as in venerable

dating or surviving from the distant past Rome's ancient ruins remain carefully preserved even in the midst of the bustle of the modern city

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in older

being of advanced years and especially past middle age used to think that age 40 was ancient until I turned 40 myself

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in primitive

relating to or occurring near the beginning of a process, series, or time period the ancient Inca built a vast network of roads

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ancient

2 of 2

noun

as in elder

a person of advanced years ancients in the tribe are accorded great respect and valued for their wisdom

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

This ancient city traces its roots back centuries as a formidable fortress retreat. — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 27 July 2026 The earliest democracies in history, in ancient Greece and ancient Rome, likewise limited voting to property owners. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 July 2026

Noun

Whereas modern extermination tends to involve poisons or traps that a professional later clears, ancients had to take on pests one by one. — 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

There's no shortage of high-end vehicles to drive these days and venerable automakers are competing to produce the greatest, most luxurious and flashiest status symbols.

— Morgan Korn, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Dhani Harrison, the son of George Harrison, and venerable producer Nigel Godrich have formed a new duo.

— Walden Green, Pitchfork, 22 July 2026

Definition of venerable

Adjective

Unlike my original e-bike, the Huffy includes metal fenders, a metal chain guard, and a battery that can charge in or out of the bike - all for a third of the price of my old bike.

— William Roberson, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Tyler James Feehan shared memories of the 25-year-old who was killed on July 17 as a result of Iranian strikes on Jordan.

— Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of old

Noun

Its inhabitants remain largely indifferent to the independence movement; village elders reason that freedom will benefit the educated while cultivators will merely exchange one set of masters for another.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026
Young orcas then gobbled up fish fragments that drifted through the water as their elders tore into what was left of the sunfish’s corpse.

— Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 23 July 2026

Definition of elder

Adjective

For the event, Vitale slipped into a sleeveless minidress in antique yellow.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 25 July 2026
Keep in mind, too, that thrift stores generally operate on a donation basis, whereas antique stores may operate on consignment, adds Jennifer Johnson, the owner of True Fashionistas, the largest lifestyle resale and consignment store in Florida.

— Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 25 July 2026

Definition of antique

Adjective

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people and those with weakened immune systems.

— Mary Lyle, Arkansas Online, 23 July 2026
One Sunday, Henrichsen assaulted an elderly couple walking along a road, knocking over an 80-year-old man and striking his wife, according to a memo compiled by the neighborhood homeowner’s association.

— Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of elderly

Adjective

While the area was formerly covered by prehistoric lakes, today the water here mainly exists as seasonal wetlands, gurgling geysers, hot springs, and a hypersaline lake that’s saltier than the ocean.

— Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2026
The species has remained unchanged since prehistoric times, finding ways to survive while other species became extinct, according to the San Diego Zoo.

— Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 16 July 2026

Definition of prehistoric

Noun

There are also annual membership options, as adults can pay $300 for the year, seniors pay $200 and youngsters pay $75.

— Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
But officials are much more concerned about the fur seal’s larger cousin, the New Zealand sea lion, of which there thought to be fewer than 5,000 mature adults.

— Todd Symons, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of adult

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“Ancient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancient. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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noun

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