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
Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
In it, symbologist Robert Langdon races against ancient forces and time to rescue a missing scientist and her groundbreaking manuscript whose discoveries have the power to forever change humanity’s understanding of the mind.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 22 May 2025
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
Towering 65 feet tall with a sprawling 25-foot circumference, this ancient giant is estimated to be between 300 and 400 years old.
—Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
In it, symbologist Robert Langdon races against ancient forces and time to rescue a missing scientist and her groundbreaking manuscript whose discoveries have the power to forever change humanity’s understanding of the mind.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 22 May 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
-
After being overhauled in major fashion earlier this year, the venerable evening newscast, which has direct ties to Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather, is likely to get some new twists and tweaks.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
19 May 2025
-
Michael Teo Van Runkle Michael Teo Van Runkle The venerable EA888 engine.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
ArsTechnica,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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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
-
Douglas is beguiling enough with her humorous, spunky performance, and MacCormac capably keeps up with her; Will Sasso and Kevin Durand are welcome supporting players as a few of the oddly aggressive town elders.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2025
-
Charlotte glanced toward her elders before offering a final wave.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
5 May 2025
Adjective
-
So when an overconfident Dedra enters the antique shop on her own to arrest Luthen, and Luthen takes advantage of this to attempt suicide so he can’t be forced to turn on his allies, Kleya is given an impossible but necessary task.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
14 May 2025
-
The event will feature antique cars, food trucks and artisan merchandise.such as handmade pillows, bath items, jewelry, glassware and handmade cards.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
Former New College student Katie Helms, 47, got emotional when remembering her old mentor.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
25 May 2025
-
Part of it is intentional — this is an adaptation inspired by the sirens of Greek mythology, which is a tale as old as time.—
Lauren Coates,
Variety,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
The existence of any prehistoric apex predators in the islands of the Caribbean used to be doubted.—
Ashley Belanger – May 16,
ArsTechnica,
16 May 2025
-
The original show gave the prehistoric reptiles the nature documentary treatment, offering glimpses of a world that was ruled by dinosaurs millions of years ago through the magic of CGI and animatronics.—
Maira Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
There are so many adults like myself walking around with these adolescent feelings of rejection.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
-
First Presbyterian Church of Bentonville, 901 N.E. J St., holds Bible study for adults at 9 a.m. Sundays.—
Carin Schoppmeyer,
Arkansas Online,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
Visit the Picasso Museum Five conjoined medieval palaces with Catalan Gothic architecture house the Picasso Museum in the district El Born.—
Jennifer Fernández Solano,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
Delap’s cannon shoulders struck fear into a baffled division, like a medieval army who looked across the battlefield and realised that the opposing forces had technology far beyond theirs.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ancient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ancient. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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