1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in elder
a person of advanced years
ancients in the tribe are accorded great respect and valued for their wisdom
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in maturity
the state of being an old person
if nothing else, the patriarch had achieved a degree of ancientness worthy of veneration
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in antiquity
the state of being something old
the ancientness of the papyrus was authenticated by carbon dating
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of ancient
Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2025
To Win Or Not To Win Is Not The Only Question
Once AI was a philosophical question – one that religious and spiritual thinkers from ancient cultures asked to better understand the laws of nature.
—Pia Lauritzen, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
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
Adjective
This pair of Sam Edelman Gigi sandals features a well-padded footbed that will keep you comfortable on days spent exploring ancient cobblestone streets.
—Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2025
To Win Or Not To Win Is Not The Only Question
Once AI was a philosophical question – one that religious and spiritual thinkers from ancient cultures asked to better understand the laws of nature.
—Pia Lauritzen, Forbes.com, 24 July 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
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In fact, New York’s parks and trails generate more than $5 billion in annual economic activity — on par with New York State’s venerable agricultural sector.—
Paul Steely White,
New York Daily News,
12 Aug. 2025
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Its namesake company may or may not have been part of one of the most notorious corporate mergers of all time; that merger may or may not have involved the publisher of the venerable business magazine Fortune.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Many are primitive and remote, and don’t have restrooms or water.—
OregonLive.com,
OregonLive.com,
12 July 2017
Adjective
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Kelly Clarkson Home Gabi Console Table This compact table is made from both solid and engineered wood and has an antique finish that blends well with both traditional and farmhouse home decor styles.—
Rachel Trujillo,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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An antique secretary desk and two warm-wood chests contribute a grounding sense of age.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Successive administrations let the old broadcast arms of American government abroad — Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia — slide into well-meaning obsolescence.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
4 Aug. 2025
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The fast-growing turbine business accounts for two-thirds of his net worth of $2 billion, with the rest mostly from a stake in the legacy company Triveni Engineering & Industries, which Sawhney’s older brother, Tarun, 51, runs as vice chairman and managing director.—
Anu Raghunathan,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The languages spoken by nearly half of the world’s population—including some four hundred million native speakers of English—are thought to have descended from this prehistoric language.—
Martha Barnette
August 6,
Literary Hub,
6 Aug. 2025
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Ten Little Dinos This four-minute video takes kids deep into the prehistoric jungle where ten colorful eggs are cozy in their nest.—
Marilyn La Jeunesse,
Parents,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Pacific Women’s Chorus of San Diego, a chamber chorus for treble voices that performs music ranging from medieval chants to current compositions is recruiting experienced choral sopranos and altos.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Aug. 2025
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The annual festival centers around medieval European society, with highlights of global cultures as well.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Another solid fan pick is voice actor Darin DePaul (Overwatch), who appeared in two episodes of the first campaign as Sprigg, an elderly gnome and a steward of the Mistress Ioun.—
Dana Reboe,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
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The Low Income Energy Assistance Program provides a one-time payment to households with disabled or elderly people to help cover heating costs, according to the NCDHHS website.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Though Welch has not yet announced it, admirers of the singer believe the primal scream video is part of the ramping-up promotion for her as-yet-unannounced follow-up to 2022’s Dance Fever album.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
12 Aug. 2025
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Nick battles against primal urges and the choice to preserve his family, as music from James Brown, Janis Joplin, Engelbert Humperdinck, Tom Jones and Bruce Springsteen spell out the high-stakes emotions at play.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ancient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancient. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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