ANCIENT Synonyms: 158 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

ancient 1 of 2

adjective

ˈān(t)-shənt

Definition of ancient

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ancient

2 of 2

noun

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

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 same recognizable host can appear aboard the Titanic, in Pompeii or ancient Rome without filming on location. — Taylor Reilly, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 These ancient partnerships play an important role in the growth of many plant species. — Dr. Avishesh Neupane, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026

Noun

Whereas modern extermination tends to involve poisons or traps that a professional later clears, ancients had to take on pests one by one. — 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

With sawdust on the asphalt and splintered wood on the hillside, one of the city’s most venerable trees was torn apart on Monday.

— Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
There's no shortage of high-end vehicles to drive these days and venerable automakers are competing to produce the greatest, most luxurious and flashiest status symbols.

— Morgan Korn, ABC News, 25 July 2026

Definition of venerable

Adjective

Some researchers have argued that LUCA was a complex cell with a primitive immune system to protect against viruses.

— Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026
Porous feet deliver The researchers designed and 3D-printed three hemispherical TPMS variants—primitive, gyroid and diamond—and evaluated their mechanical properties through compression testing.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of primitive

Noun

After four days, Ayesha says her family secured her release with the help of community elders, paying a ransom, and providing a formal guarantee of her future conduct.

— Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2026
On Tuesday, the San Diego County district attorney’s office announced its decision to pursue capital punishment against Leticia McCormack, who was an ordained elder and youth minister at a San Diego church.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of elder

Adjective

Get the antique style by opting for a solid wood shelf with traditional trim.

— Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2026
Inside, limestone walls and old stone arches play into the traditional Cycladic style; though more recent renovations, including a burgundy marble kitchen floor and antique brass outdoor shower, give it an elevated spin.

— Monica Mendal, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of antique

Adjective

The office has already brought charges against four, including the mother of a 14-year-old boy accused of killing an elderly pedestrian while riding an e-motorcycle.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Now, the City of Oakland is suing the property owner, Mosser Living, alleging elderly and disabled tenants were left stranded in their homes and that the prolonged elevator outage was part of a much broader pattern of neglect.

— CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of elderly

Adjective

Scientists have recovered ancient human DNA directly from cave walls in Spain and Portugal, opening a new way to study the people behind prehistoric rock art.

— George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey led the prehistoric revival, which revolved around a top-secret quest to retrieve the DNA of dinosaurs to create a miracle drug.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of prehistoric

Noun

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said an adult woman and a teenage boy were found dead inside a Martha Lane home after a well-being check was requested by another member of the household.

— Brandon Truitt, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Excelencia in Education’s recent 2026 Latino College Completion analysis finds just less than 30% of Latino adults in Georgia have earned an associate degree or higher, compared with more than 45% of white adults — an attainment gap over 15%.

— Deborah Santiago, AJC.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of adult

Cite this Entry

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“Ancient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancient. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of ancient

adjective

noun

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