AGE Synonyms: 145 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'age' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of age are epoch , era , and period . While all these words mean "a division of time," age is used frequently of a fairly definite period dominated by a prominent figure or feature. // the age of Samuel Johnson

Q: When is it sensible to use 'epoch' instead of 'age'?

The words epoch and age are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Q: When can 'era' be used instead of 'age'?

In some situations, the words era and age are roughly equivalent. However, era suggests a period of history marked by a new or distinct order of things. // the era of global communications

Q: When might 'period' be a better fit than 'age'?

While the synonyms period and age are close in meaning, period may designate an extent of time of any length. // periods of economic prosperity

age 1 of 2

noun

ˈāj

Definition of age

as in era

an extent of time associated with a particular person or thing the Bronze Age marks the beginning of the use of metal by ancient peoples

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in months

a long or seemingly long period of time it took ages for the clerk to ring up three items

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in twilight

a later period of one's life stoically endures all of the aches and pains that come with age

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in maturity

the state of being an old person at 88, she gets frustrated by the feebleness that is inevitable with age

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in antiquity

the state of being something old the copper monument has acquired the patina of age

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

age

2 of 2

verb

as in to grow

to become mature as your cat ages and becomes less active, you should change her diet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun age differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of age are epoch, era, and period. While all these words mean "a division of time," age is used frequently of a fairly definite period dominated by a prominent figure or feature.

the age of Samuel Johnson

When is it sensible to use epoch instead of age?

The words epoch and age are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 can era be used instead of age?

In some situations, the words era and age are roughly equivalent. However, era suggests a period of history marked by a new or distinct order of things.

the era of global communications

When might period be a better fit than age?

While the synonyms period and age are close in meaning, 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 age

Noun

In October 2025, The Menopause Society reported on a cross-sectional study of more than 3,500 women with an average age of 52. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026 Go plays Park Hyun-tae, an executive director in Chronic Motors’ Seoul office who has come back from the company’s European headquarters after climbing the corporate ladder at a young age. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026

Verb

But Hermès wasn’t exactly cool in the eyes of Baby Boomers, who were starting to age into real spending power. — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 19 Oct. 2026 The findings point to stronger support for maintaining aging software. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for age

Recent Examples of Synonyms for age

Noun

In 2024, Texas similarly blocked the Biden-era DOJ from election monitoring.

— Miles Parks, NPR, 22 Oct. 2026
That was the first era of the creator economy, Bartlett explained.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of era

Noun

There is a certain ease and flow to the conversation with your forevers.

— Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 17 May 2026
Miami trailed 1-0 fast, in the sixth minute, when the defense left Guilherme Biro unmarked for a downward header off a corner kick, gifting Biro the forever-history of the first goal in the new stadium.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026

Definition of forever

Noun

Not so much because the 37-year-old Kelce is revitalized in his twilight years.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Indeed, in 1986, many of the largest cities were bathed in permanent twilight, with only the brightest stars and planets visible from near city centers and with astronomically unacceptable conditions up to 50 miles (80 km) away.

— Joe Rao, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of twilight

Noun

Duration is a measurement of a bond's price sensitivity to fluctuations in rates, and issues with shorter maturities tend to have lower duration.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
There is no exhaustive review of AI maturity in the industry, but surveys suggest that many companies hit a wall with their pilot projects, leaving them at stage two.

— Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of maturity

Noun

In antiquity, Rome’s aqueducts and China’s canals and flood-control works were the pipelines of centuries of hegemony.

— NIALL FERGUSON, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026
The Kennedy Center has long been home to hundreds of unique works of art and antiquities, including sculptures and tapestries, donated or loaned by individual benefactors and other countries, CNN notes.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of antiquity

Verb

The bank also expects revenue to grow annually through 2028, targeting 5% growth that year compared with 2027, excluding notable items and on a constant currency basis.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
The vote, which had been scheduled for last week, was delayed after two days of deliberations because of growing wariness among Egyptians concerned about an intervention in Yemen's long-running conflict.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of grow

Noun

The last polls before election day have given Eisenkot’s Yashar presumed coalition a lead of about two to six seats over Netanyahu’s ruling coalition, according to three of Israel’s main broadcasters.

— Yarden Segev, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
This September 25 concert was Lui’s record release event for Instant Validation, which came out that same day via Asthmatic Kitty Records.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of day

Noun

The nearly 70-foot-long tugboat changed ownership several times before it was abandoned at the mouth of the Amnicon River in 1951.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
In this painful experience, one is exposed (the betrayal that is blushing) and longs to hide oneself.

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of long

Browse Nearby Words

agape

age

aged

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Age.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/age. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of age

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

When Speaking of Age Ranges

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on age

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of age

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing age

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to age

When Speaking of Age Ranges

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on age

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes