ancients

noun

plural of ancient
as in elders
a person of advanced years ancients in the tribe are accorded great respect and valued for their wisdom

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 ancients The exhibit features several dozen dinosaur animatronics that fully loom and roar, and a virtual aquarium stocked with swimming ancients. — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 21 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ancients
  1. elders
  2. adults
Noun
  • The woman Morris was convicted of abusing, Cindy Clemishire, has filed a $1 million defamation suit against Morris, the church, former and current elders, and a former church employee in Dallas County.
    — Giles Hudson, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Its inhabitants remain largely indifferent to the independence movement; village elders reason that freedom will benefit the educated while cultivators will merely exchange one set of masters for another.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026
Definition of elders
Noun
  • From faux foliage on the ceiling to animal sounds playing softly in the bathroom stalls, the whole experience feels as if the Rainforest Cafe was rebranded for adults with deep pockets.
    — Connie Ogle July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • The study included 49 adults who ate tortilla chips and salsa once a week for two weeks, alternating between mild and spicy.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
Definition of adults

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ancientness
ancients
ancillary
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Cite this Entry

“Ancients.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancients. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ancients

Nglish: Translation of ancients for Spanish Speakers

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