Definition of eranext
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 And its collection of unmentionables—from the simple chemises of the Civil War era to the neon nylon stockings of the go-go years—is definitely worth talking about. April White, JSTOR Daily, 2 Sep. 2026 Brace yourselves — another New England Patriots conspiracy theory from the Bill Belichick era has hit the internet. Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026 The rate of extra payments peaked in 2021 and 2022, an era of historically low rates, and has gradually declined in the years since. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 Girard-Perregaux Laureato Fifty Tourbillon The Laureato is a typical midcentury sports watch from the same golden era as the Patek Philippe Nautilus and IWC Ingenieur. Carol Besler, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for era
Recent Examples of Synonyms for era
Noun
  • Two were found to have been forged on the same day, the report said, and a third was confirmed stolen out of Romania.
    Dale Ellis, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
  • This summer, Rodgers put together a team-bonding trip to a ranch out west for four days.
    Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • As is to be expected with a player of his age, there will be flashes of brilliance and lapses of concentration in equal measure as Karetsas desperately tries to make things happen every time the ball comes his way.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Shuler played a week after his family announced the death of his father, Don Shuler, at age 47.
    Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Brughmans can throw the ball a long way, and do so accurately enough to initiate attacks before the other team has had time to reset.
    Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • All John needs to do is recite the Green Lanterns oath the next time Hal hands him his ring for training.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Unlike Emery’s inclination for new signings to bed in, Jackson has had no period of grace.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The Supreme Court order was issued just in time for the start of a 60-day period before the election, in which broadcasters are required by US law to offer ad discounts to individual candidates.
    Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • However, recent scholarship posits that the structure was used as ordinary (rather than punitive) housing, and that the vulgar decor was in fact a distinguishing characteristic of the epoch.
    Jim Greer, SPIN, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Yet, in contending with the invading species, Denise is fashioned into a female action hero more in keeping with the epoch of director Quentin Tarantino than with that of President Ronald Reagan.
    Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Era.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/era. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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