AGE Synonyms: 145 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

age 1 of 2

noun

ˈāj

Definition of age

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

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

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

as in maturity

the state of being an old person at 88, she gets frustrated by the feebleness that is inevitable with age

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in antiquity

the state of being something old the copper monument has acquired the patina of age

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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

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

In the streaming age, the willingness to take creative risks may also be on the wane, the legendary creator suggested on Tuesday. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2026 Published after her death at age 15 in a concentration camp, the diary became a classic of Holocaust literature and remains widely read. — Frank Digiacomo, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2026

Verb

Researchers analyzed data from nearly 4,000 older adults participating in a long-term aging study. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 8 July 2026 Lingering problems from inflation, immigration, and an aging population have strewn disillusionment with France’s traditional parties and boosted RN’s chances, giving the party its best shot yet. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for age

Recent Examples of Synonyms for age

Noun

Markets unlocked by lower launch costs The cost of reaching orbit has come down dramatically, from roughly $65,000 per kilogram in the Shuttle era to under $3,000 today, and with Starship promising to push it lower still.

— Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
Some residents want the city to consider actions from an earlier era, including limiting how many people can be in the beach zone at one time.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 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

In those places, day will briefly turn to twilight and, in a clear sky, the sun’s corona will become visible around the moon for up to 2 minutes 18 seconds.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
In late twilight, both planet and star will be readily visible to the unaided eye.

— Joe Rao, Space.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of twilight

Noun

When questions are not really questions Children don’t have the experience or emotional maturity to weigh in on every decision or determine what happens next.

— Siggie Cohen, CNBC, 4 July 2026
The teenage phenom is able to complement his obvious technical skills with a flair and maturity in high-pressure situations that is well beyond his years.

— Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026

Definition of maturity

Noun

Nine antiquities collectively valued at nearly $300,000 were returned to Iraq.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 9 July 2026
Organizations are now attempting to deploy autonomous agents capable of reasoning and planning, only to find their efforts stalled by the antiquity of their own infrastructure.

— Chetan Mathur, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of antiquity

Verb

Calls for police in Wilmington, Delaware, to release body cam footage from the officer who shot and killed Kadir Skinner in June are growing.

— CBS News Philadelphia Staff, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Former patrons of the bar and other mourners visited the site Tuesday, adding to the growing pile of flowers leaning on the guardrails cordoning off the location of the blaze.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026

Definition of grow

Noun

But, over the past several weeks, 200 million barrels of oil came out of the strait — adding 17 days of supply, according to Lipow Oil Associates.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
The hours between finishing work for the day and going out to dinner are the calm before the storm.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 July 2026

Definition of day

Noun

The star power continued at City Hall, where Spike Lee, Patrick Ewing and Carmelo Anthony were among those who went from float ride-a-longs to seats at the ceremony.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 18 June 2026
This year’s 10-day-long edition brought together an international slate of independent films across narrative, documentary, animation, experimental and short-form categories.

— Matt Minton, Variety, 9 June 2026

Definition of long

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“Age.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/age. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of age

noun

verb

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Synonyms of age

noun

verb

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Phrases Containing age

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When Speaking of Age Ranges

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on age

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Word of the Day

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Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

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It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

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Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

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Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes