middle-aged

adjective

Definition of middle-agednext
as in retired

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for middle-aged
  1. retired
  2. adult
  3. oldish
  4. octogenarian
  5. superannuated
  6. elderly
  7. septuagenarian
  8. grown-up
Adjective
  • Collaboration Education organizes and assigns retired educators as tutors and helps economically disadvantaged parents engage productively with schools.
    — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Casse said a portion of a recent client’s purchase price went to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, which supports accredited organizations caring for retired thoroughbreds.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of retired
Adjective
  • While on the ground, the eagle was seen in a fight with two sub-adult eagles, according to the nonprofit.
    — Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
  • The encounter is rare because the vast majority of sub-adult and adult sharks end up at Cape Cod, Dodd said.
    — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 7 July 2026
Definition of adult
Adjective
  • Most of us travelling correspondents were youngish reporters from oldish outlets, wearing blue button-downs and carrying notebooks in the back pockets of our Bonobos.
    — Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Almost all were sort of oldish homes; this wasn’t an area with huge three-plus million dollar house.
    — Ali MacGraw, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Jan. 2025
Definition of oldish
Adjective
  • Ilinčić’s show borrowed the delicate ropes of octogenarian textile artist Françoise Grossen weaving them into dresses, skirts, bags and belts.
    — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The octogenarian filmmaker, best known for his collaborations with Scorsese on other classics such as Raging Bull and The Last Temptation Of Christ, is showing no signs of slowing down.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of octogenarian
Adjective
  • The most unrealistic aspect of this portrayal is that, in 2026, that profile would make Mav not a superannuated flight instructor, but secretary of defense.
    — Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 22 July 2026
  • Yet León’s superannuated one man revolution does change the world – or at least a little part if it – by changing Cardozo.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of superannuated
Adjective
  • One example is Hilton’s care hub, which provides guidance and strategies for caring for elderly relatives, children, and mental health advice.
    — Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • In late May, Netanyahu and his limited security cabinet approved a three-phase proposal that would begin with a six-week ceasefire and the release of 33 elderly and wounded hostages before leading to the release of all others and an end of the war.
    — Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of elderly
Adjective
  • That’s an attitude that Paulo Herkenhoff, a septuagenarian art curator, resists.
    — Constance Malleret, Christian Science Monitor, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Did anyone suggest that, for a septuagenarian with many months of shows ahead around the world, including two homecoming runs through Canada, leaving the ground might not be the best idea?
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of septuagenarian
Adjective
  • Later in the evening when kids were likely to be in bed, the TV audience was overwhelmingly grown-up.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026
  • But instead of leaning into Minnie Mouse territory, this A-line midiskirt looks more sophisticated and grown-up with its small dots, satiny finish, and lightly ruffled hemline.
    — Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 25 July 2026
Definition of grown-up
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.

Browse Nearby Words

middle age
middle-aged
middle-ager
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Middle-aged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/middle-aged. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of Luddite

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All