age 1 of 2

noun

ˈāj How to pronounce age (audio)
Definition of agenext
1
as in era
an extent of time associated with a particular person or thing the Bronze Age marks the beginning of the use of metal by ancient peoples

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in months
a long or seemingly long period of time it took ages for the clerk to ring up three items

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in twilight
a later period of one's life stoically endures all of the aches and pains that come with age

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in maturity
the state of being an old person at 88, she gets frustrated by the feebleness that is inevitable with age

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in antiquity
the state of being something old the copper monument has acquired the patina of age

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

age

2 of 2

verb

as in to grow
to become mature as your cat ages and becomes less active, you should change her diet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun age differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of age are epoch, era, and period. While all these words mean "a division of time," age is used frequently of a fairly definite period dominated by a prominent figure or feature.

the age of Samuel Johnson

When is it sensible to use epoch instead of age?

The words epoch and age are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, epoch applies to a period begun or set off by some significant or striking quality, change, or series of events.

the steam engine marked a new epoch in industry

When can era be used instead of age?

In some situations, the words era and age are roughly equivalent. However, era suggests a period of history marked by a new or distinct order of things.

the era of global communications

When might period be a better fit than age?

While the synonyms period and age are close in meaning, period may designate an extent of time of any length.

periods of economic prosperity

How does the noun age differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of age are epoch, era, and period. While all these words mean "a division of time," age is used frequently of a fairly definite period dominated by a prominent figure or feature.

the age of Samuel Johnson

When is it sensible to use epoch instead of age?

The words epoch and age are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, epoch applies to a period begun or set off by some significant or striking quality, change, or series of events.

the steam engine marked a new epoch in industry

When can era be used instead of age?

In some situations, the words era and age are roughly equivalent. However, era suggests a period of history marked by a new or distinct order of things.

the era of global communications

When might period be a better fit than age?

While the synonyms period and age are close in meaning, period may designate an extent of time of any length.

periods of economic prosperity

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 age
Noun
The average age of members is 71. —Lauren Frayer, NPR, 21 Mar. 2026 What’s at risk in LEO Meanwhile, the International Space Station is grappling with the wear and tear that comes with age. —Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
In the southern village of Irkay, CNN attended the funeral of five children aged between six and 13, killed in a single strike on their grandparents’ house. —Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026 Cuba’s aging grid has drastically eroded in recent years. —ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for age
Recent Examples of Synonyms for age
  1. era
  2. twilight
  3. maturity
  4. antiquity
  5. grow
  6. day
  7. forever
  8. afternoon
Noun
  • Dominique Jean-Louis, chief historian at the Brooklyn Public Library's Center for Brooklyn History, said outdated gender norms were part of the era's debate.
    — Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The La Môme experience is completed with nightly live music and a Gatsby-era interior humming with energy.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of era
Noun
  • That flashback thread unfolds against the twilight of British colonial rule, as the impending disbanding of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force’s Special Branch collides with the kidnapping of a prominent business tycoon, triggering a dangerous internal power struggle.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
  • This coming Friday evening, the first evening of spring, there’ll be a nice conjunction between the new crescent and the bright planet Venus in the low western sky during evening twilight.
    — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of twilight
Noun
  • Yields on the 10-year maturities of all G7 economies all remain substantially lower than on 10-year gilts.
    — Ian King, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026
  • But what impresses Auriemma the most is Quinonez’s maturity, especially in how quickly she’s adapted to a brand new style of basketball.
    — Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of maturity
Noun
  • Looking at America’s billionaire class and its executive branch today, the warnings from antiquity have never felt more urgent.
    — Anthony Scaramucci, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Scattered around the garden are various architectural fragments and inscribed stones of great antiquity.
    — Ben Lerner, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of antiquity
Verb
  • California and the nation as a whole has recently experienced a growing measles outbreak, with 29 cases reported in California and more than 1,300 nationwide.
    — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Recent conflicts highlight the growing role of drones in combat.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of grow
Noun
  • Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil, was last trading near $103 a barrel, up about 3% for the day.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
  • When the first day of a month falls on a weekend or holiday, payments are issued on the last business day of the previous month.
    — Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of day
Noun
  • Those tush-pushes can’t beat you if The Winter Soldier’s facing third-and-forevers.
    — Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026
  • One way to mess with an option team’s Plan A is to not only stick them with third-and-forevers, but to put them in an early hole, making them throw out of desperation.
    — Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2019
Definition of forever
Noun
  • Expect another sunny day in Austin on Friday, with balmy south-southwest winds of 5 to 10 mph helping push afternoon temperatures into the lower 90s.
    — Roberto Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Premier League giant Manchester City announced its first-ever full-time youth soccer development program in the United States on Thursday afternoon with Manchester City North Texas FC.
    — Ishmael Johnson, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of afternoon

Phrases Containing age

Browse Nearby Words

agape
age
aged
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Cite this Entry

“Age.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/age. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on age

Nglish: Translation of age for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about age

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