1
as in time
the period during which something exists, lasts, or is in progress
for the whole duration of the speech the bored audience fidgeted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in continuation
uninterrupted or lasting existence
scientists warning that the very duration of our civilization depends upon finding a solution to this major environmental problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 duration
Their total duration can be the length of a feature film, but split into 80 parts.
—
Devika Rao, TheWeek, 18 Feb. 2026
Basic wheelchairs for short, temporary lengths can be found for $100 or less, while midrange chairs for longer or permanent durations usually cost $150-$300.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
During the duration of the temporary injunction, the Eco Motel will be subject to inspection by the city to check for compliance.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Feb. 2026
Renna’s commentary about Edelman lasted the duration of his run with teammate Chen Menachem.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for duration
Devika Rao, TheWeek, 18 Feb. 2026
Basic wheelchairs for short, temporary lengths can be found for $100 or less, while midrange chairs for longer or permanent durations usually cost $150-$300.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
During the duration of the temporary injunction, the Eco Motel will be subject to inspection by the city to check for compliance.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Feb. 2026
Renna’s commentary about Edelman lasted the duration of his run with teammate Chen Menachem.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for duration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duration
Noun
-
He has been awarded Arkansas Sportswriter of the Year 10 times and has been inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and Arkansas Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame.—
Wally Hall,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
-
And yet, all throughout that time, Earth was not just inhabited, but life was thriving and rapidly evolving on the surface, despite all the physical, chemical, and biological changes that have occurred over those geologically long timescales.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Acknowledging his greatness does not mean forgetting that his philosophy would have allowed—at least in the short term—the continuation of Black Americans’ second-class citizenship.—
Adam Harris,
The Atlantic,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Supervisors are required to authorize any continuation of a pursuit and can cancel them based on the ongoing circumstances.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Throughout its lifespan, the station has served as a test bed for scientific research in microgravity and has in years past opened itself up to private commercial missions.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Much of San Diego’s infrastructure is overdue for replacement because it was built during the city’s population boom of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s and has outlasted its lifespan.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
These handsome evergreen shrubs tolerate a range of growing conditions, seamlessly transitioning between sunny beds and shady gardens to provide continuity throughout the garden.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
-
For the next head coach, roster retention will be critical as the Falcons look to build continuity and reset the foundation of the program.—
Tobias Bass,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Longer-lasting electronics could also extend the lifetime of satellites, deep-space probes, and high-orbit communication platforms.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Success comes from a lifetime of responsible routines and healthy choices.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As the clock ticks toward the start of the 2026 regular season, Bubic needed only a few minutes to remind everyone that his 2025 All-Star campaign wasn’t a fluke … but the continuance of his march to stardom.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
15 Feb. 2026
-
At a Friday court hearing for the family’s asylum case, a judge granted a continuance, which postpones the case to a later date, family attorney Danielle Molliver told CNN.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Now, Cuba may be experiencing the most profound moment of economic uncertainty that the island’s residents have endured in decades if not over their entire lives.—
Patrick Oppmann,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Salazar-Thompson’s ingenious new version of Hammett’s noir masterpiece features five versatile performers transforming between roles to bring 1920s San Francisco’s underbelly to hilarious life.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The persistence of deportation and enforcement practices across Democratic and Republican administrations reflects a broader failure to establish genuinely humane immigration policies.—
Fidel Martinez,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Greg Gianforcaro, one of the attorneys representing victims suing the diocese, credited survivors' persistence.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Duration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duration. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
