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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When is obsolete a more appropriate choice than ancient?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 series travels around the land now known as the United States, meeting tribal stewards keeping ancient traditions alive, Native chefs innovating for 21st-century palates, and historians whose research attempts to recover recipes lost long ago. Katie Rife, EW.com, 11 May 2025 Created by Dan Harmon, the series is set in an ancient Greece where humans, gods and mythical creatures interact. Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 10 May 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
  • After being overhauled in major fashion earlier this year, the venerable evening newscast, which has direct ties to Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather, is likely to get some new twists and tweaks.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 May 2025
  • Michael Teo Van Runkle Michael Teo Van Runkle The venerable EA888 engine.
    Michael Teo Van Runkle, ArsTechnica, 16 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
  • As in the real world, the kids handle some of their business better than their elders, and sometimes the elders prove wiser than the kids.
    Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
  • The younger generation, as my own parents and grandparents soon learned, can be a lot less patient with the problems their elders tolerate.
    Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • So when an overconfident Dedra enters the antique shop on her own to arrest Luthen, and Luthen takes advantage of this to attempt suicide so he can’t be forced to turn on his allies, Kleya is given an impossible but necessary task.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2025
  • The event will feature antique cars, food trucks and artisan merchandise.such as handmade pillows, bath items, jewelry, glassware and handmade cards.
    Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • Of course, the new standard will be backward-compatible with Wi-Fi 6 devices, as well as older Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) ones.
    Iyaz Akhtar, PC Magazine, 13 May 2025
  • Applicants must be 6 years or older as of the beginning of Oct. 4 to participate.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • The existence of any prehistoric apex predators in the islands of the Caribbean used to be doubted.
    Ashley Belanger – May 16, ArsTechnica, 16 May 2025
  • The original show gave the prehistoric reptiles the nature documentary treatment, offering glimpses of a world that was ruled by dinosaurs millions of years ago through the magic of CGI and animatronics.
    Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • Booster shots are recommended for adults every 10 years for continued protection against the disease.
    Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 12 May 2025
  • If a teenager asks an adult scientist how to make fentanyl in his bathtub, the adult will likely not only refuse to provide a recipe, but also close the door to further inquiry, said Iyer.
    Emily Baker-White, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • The tradition of the funeral procession actually dates back to Ancient Egypt (maybe even earlier!), and spans throughout the Greco-Roman empire, the medieval age, the Renaissance, and continues to modern day.
    Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 10 May 2025
  • After being updated by Patel, the script combines medieval knights with feudal India.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ancient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancient. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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