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
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Recent Examples of duration
Kansas City has been perched atop the ECHL standings nearly the entire season, a campaign in which the Mavericks have rattled off not one but two winning streaks of double-digit duration (12 and 14 games).
—
The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
Spacecraft can save weight and extend mission duration by using light rather than chemical propellants.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
While this rule applies to all workouts, the level of importance increases in tandem with the intensity and duration.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 9 Apr. 2026
Positioning has skewed shorter in duration, with curve steepeners and inflation protection increasingly preferred over outright rate bets.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for duration
The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
Spacecraft can save weight and extend mission duration by using light rather than chemical propellants.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
While this rule applies to all workouts, the level of importance increases in tandem with the intensity and duration.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 9 Apr. 2026
Positioning has skewed shorter in duration, with curve steepeners and inflation protection increasingly preferred over outright rate bets.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for duration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duration
Noun
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However, this time around, Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, opted to fly business class on Qantas, surprising some of their fellow fliers on the flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne.—
Helen Murphy,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
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At the same time, the nation’s weapons manufacturers—part of what is known inside the Beltway as the defense-industrial base, or DIB—have grown cautious after years of fast-shifting congressional priorities.—
Garrett M. Graff,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Jahangir abandoned writing in the 17th regnal year as his health declined, entrusting continuation to his court historian Muʿtamad Khan, who extended the narrative to Jahangir’s 19th regnal year.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
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Fuller has closely aligned himself with the MAGA movement, and has supported the attacks in Iran and the continuation of military action there.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Other current construction projects include new equipment to help remove sand, dirt and other large items from incoming wastewater, which will help preserve the lifespan of pumps at the center.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
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With regular cleaning, furniture made of these durable materials will have a longer lifespan.—
Jessica Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Quality also depends on continuity.—
Jake Krilovich,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
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The restricted perspective allows the team behind the camera to shoot in continuity, starting with page one of the first episode and going more or less in order.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After the plane spent a lifetime submerged in teal waters, a local heritage group organized a salvage project to recover the rare Japanese aircraft.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Apr. 2026
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Mastectomies are lifesaving surgeries that remove a patient’s breasts to treat breast cancer, which affects 1 in 8 American women over their lifetimes, according to the American Cancer Society.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Because the case will be decided by Cook County Judge Carl Boyd instead of a jury, the trial is not subject to the same time pressures and may have long continuances.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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His next court appearance is set for April 2, where he is expected to be arraigned, after his attorney asked for a continuance in court Wednesday, Asregadoo said.—
Aldo Toledo,
San Francisco Chronicle,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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And once on the other side of those things, Christy Martin began living a different kind of double life.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
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Like all the trillion-dollar platforms, Amazon can be a bit much, seeping into our lives.—
Andrew Marchand,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Both represent persistence, innovation, and trusting our instincts.—
Perrie Samotin,
Glamour,
8 Apr. 2026
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Over time, the collection expanded—through donations, acquisitions, and O’Connor’s persistence.—
Jimmy Jellinek,
SPIN,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Duration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duration. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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