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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of ancient
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
6 July 2026
Scientists have long known that ancient Homo sapiens and Neanderthals lived alongside each other for thousands of years—until that is, Neanderthals went extinct some 40,000 years ago.
—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
6 July 2026
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
On the night of June 30 to July 1, robbers broke into the Centre archéologique du Montans and stole a clay vase full of ancient coins, once again, with what appears to be minimal difficulty, according to the French report.
—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
6 July 2026
Scientists have long known that ancient Homo sapiens and Neanderthals lived alongside each other for thousands of years—until that is, Neanderthals went extinct some 40,000 years ago.
—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
6 July 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
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The two women have booked an increasing number of speaking gigs over the past year, including at popular venues like Sloat Garden Centers and SummerWinds nurseries around the Bay Area, and even at the venerable Marin Art and Garden Center.
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The 60th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) is gearing up to celebrate the venerable Czech fest’s past and, at the same time, guide it into its future.
Adjective
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The infant, who is 9 months old, was rescued along with her mother, the State Department told Fox News Digital.
-
While students honed their skills at the Santa Monica studio for the last year and four months, Blanck found an old pilates studio in Pacific Highlands for rent, but the numbers just didn't add up.
Adjective
-
SpudCell is still primitive, most closely resembling a bacterium.
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While primitive in appearance, the arms kept the device relatively secure on my neck.
Noun
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While choosing the layout, the tribe hosted listening sessions with community members and elders.
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More important for the purposes of the Social Media Minimum Age’s failure is that Aussie youth undeniably know technology better than do their elders in Parliament.
Adjective
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The event attracts over 60,000 spectators and showcases floats, marching bands, equestrians, dance groups, antique cars and community organizations.
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Quince Lightweight Coverlets For a vintage vibe, pick up this coverlet that has a channel stitch reminiscent of antique quilts.
Adjective
-
Never leave children, elderly adults or pets in a parked car or truck, even for a few minutes, even if the windows are open, public safety agencies warn.
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According to police, an elderly driver struck a vehicle, struck the pedestrians and then crashed into a building.
Adjective
-
The museum uses Akrotiri as a point of reference for the life and culture of prehistoric Thira.
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The fraught subject of the proper disposition of those human remains has taken on a new sensitivity — both for the prehistoric people’s Native American successors in Florida, and for the archaeologists and developers encountering them.
Noun
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Depending on their height, many kids may choose to go solo, but rides are designed so older siblings and adults can join them, if desired.
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It’s commonly used to correct issues with breathing, swallowing, talking and chewing in both adults and children.
Cite this Entry
“Ancient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancient. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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