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 Inside deserted clapboard farmsteads, palatial Antebellum-era plantation houses and maximalist Queen Anne-style structures, Sansivero has discovered many residences that were never emptied, offering a portal into another life. Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025 Her move to Skims Beauty signals a powerful new era—one focused on inclusivity, innovation, and authenticity. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Nov. 2025 The era of noise is fading, and a quieter, more serious phase has begun. Gus Bartholomew, Sourcing Journal, 3 Nov. 2025 Leading in a skeptical era Corporate apologies are nothing new. Prachi Gala, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for era
Recent Examples of Synonyms for era
Noun
  • On April 2, the president announced an initial tariff rate on China of 34 percent, which ballooned in subsequent days to 125 percent.
    Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Bagsmart Tech Organizer Nothing feels messier than cords tangled at the bottom of your bag mid-travel day, which is why this smart tech organizer never leaves my suitcase.
    Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The 95-year-old Aldrin is alive, but his wife, Anca Faur, died Tuesday at age 66.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Nov. 2025
  • About 1 in 31 children in the US was diagnosed with autism by age 8 in 2022, according to a report published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that was published in April.
    Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • All are dressed in period garb — Clarkson in a gorgeous gown and her band, My Band Y’all, led by musical director and keyboardist Jason Halbert, in formal white dinner jackets typical of musical acts at the time.
    Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • After replacing original director Christopher Landon, Williamson will be directing a Scream for the first time, after scripting the first, second, and fourth installments.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • At the same time, exceptionally profitable periods have created the opportunity for the Browns to create a bigger impact over a shorter period of time.
    Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Drivers are being urged to use caution on I-84, US-20, and I-90, where periods of moderate to heavy snow could reduce visibility and make road conditions hazardous.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • On the surface, the glorious black-and-white concoction, which had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival last May, tells the (mostly imagined) story of the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s epoch-defining 1960 movie, Breathless.
    Tomris Laffly, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The rugged, zigzagging massif is the result of the collision of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates about 100 million years ago and later massive glacial activity in the Pleistocene epoch.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Era.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/era. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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