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 next

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

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

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

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

Examples 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

Many ancient Egyptian doctors were specialists, focusing on a single body part or sickness, according to the fifth-century B.C.E. Greek historian Herodotus. —

Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025 The museum, which houses ancient archaeological artifacts, closed a month ago as a preventative measure against looting during the rebel takeover of the city. —

The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 10 Jan. 2025

Noun

Halfway down the Aegean coast, Smyrna, as Asia Minor ancients called it, was where East met West as an economic and cultural synapse at the end of the Silk Road. —

Alex Crevar, New York Times, 11 July 2024 Yet not only is there no Vena amoris (as it was dubbed), but there’s also little evidence to support the idea of ancients routinely wearing engagement rings. —

Katy Kelleher, refinery29.com, 2 May 2023 See all Example Sentences for ancient

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ancient

Adjective

The venerable trad-jazz venue sits around the corner from Bourbon Street, where in the wee hours of Jan. 1, a man inspired by the Islamic State drove a pickup truck into crowds ringing in the New Year, killing 14 and injuring dozens more.

Julian Sancton, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2025
Available in dozens of hues and sizes ranging from 14 to 64 ounces, the venerable vessel has won over even its strongest skeptics.

Jenny Berg, Vogue, 7 Jan. 2025