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

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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

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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

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
Druck, 15, got into swimming age 6 by following her sister, Kahlen, into the pool. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026 Huerta never gave up on her dream of a more equitable distribution of wealth in America, campaigning for working people for years beyond standard retirement age. — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
Bowie, a genre- and gender-bending icon of pop music, and one of biggest rock stars in history, died in 2016, aged 69. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026 The pastor has either abandoned his aging flock or has been murdered, possibly by his wife, Hermana Romie (Evelina Fernández). — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for age
Recent Examples of Synonyms for age
  1. era
  2. forever
  3. twilight
  4. maturity
  5. antiquity
  6. grow
  7. day
  8. long
Noun
  • Goal To Sleep With 5,000 Women Karmy-Jones repeatedly brought up Brand’s promiscuity during the era the allegations were alleged to have taken place.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The character’s outfits were designed to reflect an era when gender fluidity was just emerging, thanks to the androgynous style of New Romantic stars like Duran Duran’s Nick Rhodes.
    — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of era
Noun
  • There is a certain ease and flow to the conversation with your forevers.
    — Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 17 May 2026
  • 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
Definition of forever
Noun
  • Not so much because the 37-year-old Kelce is revitalized in his twilight years.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Indeed, in 1986, many of the largest cities were bathed in permanent twilight, with only the brightest stars and planets visible from near city centers and with astronomically unacceptable conditions up to 50 miles (80 km) away.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of twilight
Noun
  • Duration is a measurement of a bond's price sensitivity to fluctuations in rates, and issues with shorter maturities tend to have lower duration.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
  • There is no exhaustive review of AI maturity in the industry, but surveys suggest that many companies hit a wall with their pilot projects, leaving them at stage two.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of maturity
Noun
  • Even Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, and the other great thinkers of antiquity and the Middle Ages never developed anything resembling our modern understanding of intellectual property.
    — Coke Morgan Stewart, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026
  • And unlike plundered antiquities, there's no doubt that Pooh and his friends were freely given to the library.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of antiquity
Verb
  • The bank also expects revenue to grow annually through 2028, targeting 5% growth that year compared with 2027, excluding notable items and on a constant currency basis.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The vote, which had been scheduled for last week, was delayed after two days of deliberations because of growing wariness among Egyptians concerned about an intervention in Yemen's long-running conflict.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of grow
Noun
  • The last polls before election day have given Eisenkot’s Yashar presumed coalition a lead of about two to six seats over Netanyahu’s ruling coalition, according to three of Israel’s main broadcasters.
    — Yarden Segev, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
  • This September 25 concert was Lui’s record release event for Instant Validation, which came out that same day via Asthmatic Kitty Records.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of day
Noun
  • The nearly 70-foot-long tugboat changed ownership several times before it was abandoned at the mouth of the Amnicon River in 1951.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In this painful experience, one is exposed (the betrayal that is blushing) and longs to hide oneself.
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of long

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 1 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on age

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about age

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