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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When is obsolete a more appropriate choice than ancient?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 United States rejects such an ordering, and retains its ancient faith. Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025 There have been several ancient Roman grave discoveries in the past year. Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 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
  • President Donald Trump had pursued one venerable D.C. firm, Covington & Burling, with an executive order that revoked security clearances for lawyers representing the former special counsel Jack Smith.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Owens is only the third executive producer in the history of the venerable CBS newsmagazine, having taken over the program in 2019.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 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
  • Barber had been serving a four-year sentence for robbery, theft/embezzlement from an elder or dependent adult and grand theft at a county reentry program facility.
    Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Aimee had three ministerial assistants and a board of seven elders, along with 21 deacons — 14 of them women.
    Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This cottage also has a vaulted ceiling and fireplace in the living room, a more subtle white and gold color scheme with antique pieces, a plunge pool and spa overlooking the river and a courtyard with a fireplace.
    Laurie Werner, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Fábrica La Aurora: Art Meets Industry Once a textile factory, this now-vast creative complex is home to contemporary galleries, design shops, artist studios, and antique dealers.
    Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • With Venus retrograde in Aries starting on March 1 and affecting your career and outward expression, old insecurities about your worth and ambitions may surface.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 May 2025
  • The movie set, like all others, should have only had blanks on hand, but somehow a number of live rounds made their way to the location and one such bullet ended up in the gun that went off as Hutchins and Baldwin lined up a shot in an old church.
    Marco della Cava, USA Today, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • Archaeologists excavating the site of a future golf course were surprised to find evidence of a prehistoric village — including a rare chariot wheel dating back millennia.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
  • The famous cave suites built against the sandstone rock formations will take you back to a prehistoric time without missing any modern-day luxuries.
    Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Discuss your legacy goals Another factor could be your legacy goals — including whether heirs, such as adult children, could inherit part of your pre-tax retirement balance, experts say.
    Kate Dore, CFP®, EA, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025
  • While a student account may serve you well now, consider whether the bank offers seamless transitions to adult accounts with competitive features after graduation.
    True Tamplin, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ashford Castle – Ireland Originating from the 13th century, the magnificent Ashford Castle has a rich history, evolving from a medieval fortress to a grand luxury retreat adorned with antiques and artwork.
    Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • The musician used the early medieval Irish alphabet Ogham to write two pro-Palestine messages on their body before their Eurovision semi-finals performance.
    Abby Monteil, Them., 29 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ancient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancient. Accessed 8 May. 2025.

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