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
He was exposed to music at an early age through his mother's vinyl record collection. —Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2026 Officers arrived to find a single-vehicle wreck involving five teenagers ages 16 to 18, all with major injuries. —Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
Guenther and Joseph shifted Dennard from outside corner to nickel to eventually supplant aging veteran Leon Hall. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026 Beginning in April, West Sacramento residents will see higher rates for water and sewer service as the city grapples with aging infrastructure for the critical services. —Sacbee.com, 12 Apr. 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
  • Other artists are lesser known, such as Eunice Pinney, an early 19th-century folk watercolorist who was entirely self-taught, as well as Bernarda Bryson, a printmaker who depicted farmers in New Deal-era art and only gained recognition later in her life.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Rather than being organized by standard merchandising categories, the assortment is presented through the lens of era, size, and style, encouraging a more exploratory way of shopping.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 13 Apr. 2026
Definition of era
Noun
  • The car was believed to be traveling northeast toward the Evergreen Parkway exit of Interstate 70 at about twilight on March 14.
    — Alan Gionet, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
  • The Capitals, despite the disappointment of 2025-26, have successfully bridged Ovechkin’s twilight with their next organizational phase, staying competitive during his record chase and positioning themselves to be relevant in the short- and medium-term, regardless of his decision.
    — Sean Gentille, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Definition of twilight
Noun
  • Laddering bonds involves buying multiple issues with different maturity dates and then reinvesting proceeds from maturing bonds.
    — Michelle Fox, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Capricorns innately carry a sense of emotional maturity and wisdom beyond their years, and Schafer brings that layered complexity to Jule's journey of identity, love and self-discovery.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
Definition of maturity
Noun
  • In antiquity, technology was literally demonized, so there was no stigma in positioning oneself against it.
    — Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Katzin, who studies maritime civilizations, suspected the group were antiquities thieves.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Definition of antiquity
Verb
  • Opposition parties warn that basing constituencies on population could shift political power toward faster-growing northern states, while diminishing the parliamentary representation, seat share and overall influence of southern regions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Vandals targeted a non-profit farm in Ipswich, Massachusetts that grows food for people in need.
    — Juli McDonald, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Definition of grow
Noun
  • Data obtained from the license plates cannot be held for more than 21 days unless there is an active criminal investigation, officials said.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The company sent two Falcon 9 rockets soaring, first from Florida before sunrise on Tuesday (April 14), and then from California after sunset the same day (by local time zone).
    — Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Definition of day
Noun
  • Miami trailed 1-0 fast, in the sixth minute, when the defense left Guilherme Biro unmarked for a downward header off a corner kick, gifting Biro the forever-history of the first goal in the new stadium.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Those tush-pushes can’t beat you if The Winter Soldier’s facing third-and-forevers.
    — Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026
Definition of forever
Noun
  • At his first court appearance Thursday afternoon, Fiapoto pleaded not guilty and insisted on a fast preliminary hearing, according to court records.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Mac Wilkins stepped into the discus ring that afternoon in a state of bewilderment.
    — Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of afternoon

Phrases Containing age

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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 17 Apr. 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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