age 1 of 2

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

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age

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verb

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
Far more concerning is the fact that the median age of onset for eating disorders in the United States coincides with the typical age of college enrollment. Mallary Tenore Tarpley, Time, 5 Sep. 2025 Born in Los Angeles in 1947, Volman began playing music and performing at an early age. Andrew McGowan, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
Both will focus on services for children aging out of the foster care system. Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025 Too many aging Americans shy away from discussing their valuables with loved ones, Hassay said. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for age
Recent Examples of Synonyms for age
Noun
  • In May, for instance, the Department of Education discontinued Biden-era grants worth $1 billion aimed at improving mental health services in schools, saying the programs were not advancing administration priorities.
    Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
  • After all, scallops were a key element in Queen Anne and Victorian era designs from the 18th and 19th centuries, respectively.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • By early November, Bootes will pretty much already be below the horizon at the end of evening twilight.
    Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The pairing glimmers low in the east an hour before sunrise, fading quickly in brightening twilight.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Khumalo points to the maturity, technical ability, and depth of the squad as key reasons for optimism.
    Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Nicholas Stevens, vice president of product for AI and home loans at Zillow, offered a concrete example of where the company is on this maturity scale—which, to my ear, sounded like Level 1 edging into Level 2.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The more than 10,000 works in the museum’s permanent collection include Greek and Roman antiquities, pre-Columbian sculpture, and European and American prints, photographs, and paintings.
    Mae Hamilton, AFAR Media, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Roman bathhouses – which functioned as important community spaces in antiquity – are still being discovered across Europe and Asia Minor today.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Their curiosity grew after the highest DNA match was found linked to a family line in Romania.
    Claire Lempert, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
  • American craft beer, for example, has grown over the last 30 years to take nearly 15% of US beer sales by volume.
    Nish Acharya, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The two countries last month agreed to extend the trade truce by another 90 days, to mid-November.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The Tesla had been at the impound lot for two days after being found abandoned on a Hollywood street, investigators said.
    Alex Stone, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • Printed with thermochromic ink, the stamp reveals a second image of the moon when a finger is pressed to it, and a sheet of 16 Forever stamps features a map of the eclipse path.
    Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2017
Noun
  • The 47th took place the same afternoon, one state over in Colorado, though no footage has circulated.
    Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Molina’s pre-primary report wasn’t available through the county or state Board of Elections as of Tuesday afternoon.
    Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Age.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/age. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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