Thesaurus results for PERIOD

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

Some common synonyms of period are age , epoch , and era . While all these words mean "a division of time," period may designate an extent of time of any length. // periods of economic prosperity

Q: When is 'age' a more appropriate choice than 'period'?

The synonyms age and period are sometimes interchangeable, but age is used frequently of a fairly definite period dominated by a prominent figure or feature. // the age of Samuel Johnson

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

In some situations, the words epoch and period are roughly equivalent. However, 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 would 'era' be a good substitute for 'period'?

The words era and period can be used in similar contexts, but era suggests a period of history marked by a new or distinct order of things. // the era of global communications

period

noun

ˈpir-ē-əd

Definition of period

as in monthlies

an occurrence of menstruating she hoped her period wouldn't start until she got home

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in day

an extent of time associated with a particular person or thing the Romantic period in music

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun period differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of period are age, epoch, and era. While all these words mean "a division of time," period may designate an extent of time of any length.

periods of economic prosperity

When is age a more appropriate choice than period?

The synonyms age and period are sometimes interchangeable, but age is used frequently of a fairly definite period dominated by a prominent figure or feature.

the age of Samuel Johnson

When might epoch be a better fit than period?

In some situations, the words epoch and period are roughly equivalent. However, 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 era be a good substitute for period?

The words era and period can be used in similar contexts, but era suggests a period of history marked by a new or distinct order of things.

the era of global communications

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 period The Panthers outshot Chicago 15-6 in the first period and took a 2-1 lead. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026 Near Lake Hodges, researchers estimated that at least 15 million ants died during the six-month observation period. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026 His total catalog, including his work with Ryan Lewis, nearly doubled over the same period, rising 97% from just over 1 million streams to nearly 2 million. — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 25 Oct. 2026 Cobos explains that, as with Nené’s ensembles, following period conventions to the letter didn’t necessarily make sense for Carlos’s wardrobe. — Elaina Patton, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for period

Recent Examples of Synonyms for period

Noun

Women are more likely than men to have iron deficiency because of the loss of blood that comes with menstruation.

— Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Starting menstruation before 12, reaching menopause after 55, having a first pregnancy after 30 or never having been pregnant can also raise risk.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of menstruation

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

Burks personally prosecuted five capital murder death penalty cases during her time at the district attorney’s office.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Playing a real game in Spectrum Center for the first time since trading away LaMelo Ball over the summer, this was Charlotte’s first chance since that controversial deal to show the home fans that the deal was a good one.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of time

Noun

Current facial recognition systems, originally developed for photographs, can compare faces despite differences in pose, lighting, expression, age, and image quality.

— Karen Chernick, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Other foldables do this too — Samsung and Google and Huawei have been pushing the envelope of gadget-y smartphones for ages — but Apple’s played it so safe for so long that the Duo is legitimately surprising.

— Nilay Patel, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of age

Noun

Low regard for sensitivity is all the more costly in an epoch of political polarization, deteriorating social bonds, and rampant screen addiction.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
He’s always been obsessed with historic epochs like the Civil War and World War II and fascinated with the post-war boom and the sojourns of Route 66.

— Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of epoch

Browse Nearby Words

perimeters

period

periodic

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Period.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/period. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of period

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on period

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

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