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
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Recent Examples of ancient
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
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
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
Adjective
-
Her aunt doesn’t have time to take her sightseeing, her cousin Céline is cool and dismissive, and her grandmother, who runs an antique shop, is distraught when a precious family heirloom—a drawing by Matisse—goes missing.—
Caroline Carlson
June 30,
Literary Hub,
30 June 2025
-
Walking inside, you’re met with period details that anchor the home in its early 20th-century roots: antique doors, wrought iron railings, hardwood floors, and lofty ceilings create a warm, timeless atmosphere.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
The older elephants surround it, allowing the youngster to relax and play in the water while being protected from crocodiles lurking nearby.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
-
In one scene, Agnes is wearing a pair of chunky combat boots, and old, worn pages of her thesis are taped to her window.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
Overall, the graves have slowly revealed new clues about the prehistoric society that lived in the region thousands of years ago.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
30 June 2025
-
Director Gareth Edwards and screenwriter David Koepp give EW the inside scoop on creating these prehistoric monsters.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
30 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
Adjective
-
Check in on people without air conditioning, as well as any elderly relatives and neighbors.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
22 June 2025
-
Seven others were injured, including a 17-year-old and an elderly woman.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
He was also helped by film composer John Williams’ memorable two-note motif in the Jaws soundtrack that fed into primal fears about unseen predators being afoot and approaching.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
20 June 2025
-
Two simple notes – E and F – have become synonymous with tension, fear and sharks, representing the primal dread of being stalked by a predator.—
Jared Bahir Browsh,
The Conversation,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ancient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancient. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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