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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When is obsolete a more appropriate choice than ancient?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
The Virtual Telescope Program has announced a livestream to mark World Asteroid Day on June 30, which will feature real-time views of near-Earth asteroids while discussing the characteristics and impact risks posed by the enigmatic chunks of ancient debris. Anthony Wood, Space.com, 30 June 2025 Their antecedents are ancient (Egyptian hieroglyphs, Chinese characters, Mesoamerican pictograms), though the journey from their modern birthplace (Japan circa the turn of the millennium) to their current ubiquity has been quick. Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 29 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 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
  • 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
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
  • The Cost of Delay: Why Timing Matters Every month of delay in implementing comprehensive elder and disability planning increases both financial risk and family stress.
    Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • Leech Lake officials asked people to check on their neighbors — in particular elders and people with health conditions.
    Andrew Krueger, Twin Cities, 23 June 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
  • The departing older president, the incoming younger Kennedy.
    Dr. Richard Fichman, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2025
  • While older South Koreans remain most at risk, suicide is now the leading cause of death for those aged 10 to 39.
    Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • Humans, therefore, are assumed to be inherently tribal because of our prehistoric ancestors.
    Dr. Rami Kaminski, Time, 18 June 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • For example, the largest adult male great white shark ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean was recently tracked off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, a popular beach vacation hot spot, causing alarm.
    Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
  • The force of the crash sent the car’s engine into its front seat, killing all three adult occupants: Mansfield, Brody and Harrison (as well as Mansfield’s chihuahua), according to The New York Times.
    Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • Carved into chalk more than 1,600 years ago, the vaulted caverns at Taittinger stretch nearly 60 feet underground, their walls layered with remnants of Roman quarries, medieval crypts and Benedictine abbey foundations.
    Rachel King, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • The phrase was said to have been inscribed on many medieval tombstones, highlighting the fragility of life, which mirrors the vulnerability of the contestants in Squid Game.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ancient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancient. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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