ANCIENTLY Synonyms: 20 Similar and Opposite Words

anciently

adverb

Definition of anciently

as in previously

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of anciently Tell El-Fara’in, anciently known as Imet, was a significant urban and religious hub from the Middle Kingdom onward. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025 It was used anciently as a preservative, a seasoning, and medicinally for its antibacterial properties. — Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2024

Recent Examples of Synonyms for anciently

Adverb

Abbott has previously said data centers should not be built in rural Texas neighborhoods and that developers must pay their own way and provide their own water and power.

— Jack Fink, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Immigrant advocates, medical professionals and lawmakers have previously raised concerns about conditions at the South Texas facility.

— Laura Romero, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of previously

Adverb

Tuesday's Dearborn City Council meeting was not business as usual, with anti-Islam protesters gathering before and during the meeting.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
That is, again, different from last year; Glenn knew Wilks but had never worked with him before.

— Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of before

Adverb

Among the 3,000 buildings the first licensed Black architect designed, from private residences to hotels, some of his most appealing—including one that formerly housed actor Denzel Washington’s family—can be found in Toluca Lake.

— Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2026
The space formerly was Dimestore Delibar, which closed in October 2025.

— Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of formerly

Adverb

Zelenskyy said that earlier this year the Defense Ministry had told him that SpaceX had agreed to allow Ukraine to use Starlink over Russian territory to carry out deep strike operations, subject to political approval.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
In addition, a law creating new asylum eligibility requirements, including new time limits for applying, went into effect earlier this year.

— Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of early

Adverb

Police said Brown is from Alabama and has an outstanding failure-to-appear warrant connected to a case there involving similar circumstances about five years ago.

— CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Well-known for his penmanship of the Ferrari Enzo over 25 years ago, Japanese designer Ken Okuyama chose the glamorous surroundings of Monterey Car Week to unveil his latest—and perhaps most ambitious—creation, the Kode89.

— Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026