Synonyms of epoch

epoch

noun

ˈe-pək 

as in era

an extent of time associated with a particular person or thing

Sir Isaac Newton is usually credited with establishing the epoch of modern science

Synonyms & Similar Words

• era
• day
• time
• period
• age
• year
• generation
• cycle
• date
• span
• space
• while
• bit
• vintage
• spell
• stretch

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun epoch differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of epoch are age, era, and period. While all these words mean "a division of time," 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 is it sensible to use age instead of epoch?

The meanings of age and epoch largely overlap; however, age is used frequently of a fairly definite period dominated by a prominent figure or feature.

the age of Samuel Johnson

When might era be a better fit than epoch?

Although the words era and epoch have much in common, era suggests a period of history marked by a new or distinct order of things.

the era of global communications

In what contexts can period take the place of epoch?

While in some cases nearly identical to epoch, period may designate an extent of time of any length.

periods of economic prosperity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of epoch

Two lessons: Don’t muck around with the evolutionary sequence; the dinosaurs had their time and can’t adapt to the human epoch. —David Denby, Vulture, 3 July 2025

With the pair at the helm, the goal was to standardize the superhero universe and kick-start a new epoch for the studio. —Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025

For this study, a research team from University College London (UCL) looked at the impacts of two major asteroids from the late Eocene epoch (about 38 million to 33 million years ago). —Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 10 July 2025

The Plio-Pleistocene transition marked the passage from the wetter and more humid Pliocene epoch (5.3 million years to 2.6 million years ago) to the colder and drier Pleistocene epoch (2.6 million years to 11,700 years ago). —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 23 June 2025

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