as in day
an extent of time associated with a particular person or thing the introduction of the mass production of cars on an assembly line ushered in the era of the automobile

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun era differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of era are age, epoch, and period. While all these words mean "a division of time," era suggests a period of history marked by a new or distinct order of things.

the era of global communications

When might age be a better fit than era?

While in some cases nearly identical to era, age is used frequently of a fairly definite period dominated by a prominent figure or feature.

the age of Samuel Johnson

Where would epoch be a reasonable alternative to era?

While the synonyms epoch and era are close in meaning, 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 would period be a good substitute for era?

In some situations, the words period and era are roughly equivalent. However, 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 era Ottawa’s next chapter begins with a season that could define just how successful this era can be. The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 Scientists in China claim the country is transitioning into a revolutionary new era of aerospace manufacturing. Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025 Fox has sold ads to a growing number of companies that in a previous era might not have run TV commercials. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025 Young Thug is the purest exponent of mainstream rap’s melodic rap era. Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for era
Recent Examples of Synonyms for era
Noun
  • Defense Ministry figures suggest that May 2025 saw a highwater mark for Ukrainian drone attacks, with Moscow claiming to have shot down 3,611 craft at an average rate of 116 per day.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The President and his allies have also repeatedly asserted in recent days that Democrats are threatening to shut down the government to secure public money for undocumented migrants, despite the claim being widely debunked.
    Nik Popli, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The typical Gen Xer began saving for retirement at age 30, half a decade later than millennials, according to research by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
  • After graduating from college, Pendleton began her career as a cartographic engineer, designing and modifying maps at the dawn of the computer age.
    Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Detectives determined that Holland never stalked Kristil and verified his whereabouts in a different state at the time she was killed.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2025
  • However, there are no such hints for players in Season 3, who are sorted into teams at the beginning of their time in Borderland and told where to go for the next match.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In the time of the Timurids, a period that ended about 500 years ago,descendants of Tamerlane, the city hosted festivals of art, music, poetry and food that could last months.
    Dada Jovanovic, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2025
  • During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Cardinale erupted onto the international scene in the early ’60s and became, along with Sophia Loren and Anna Magnani, one of the most prominent Italian stars of her epoch.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Seen through that prism, the Mistral earns its place in history as a remarkable bridge between two epic epochs.
    Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 20 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Era.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/era. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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