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 An estate sale purchase in Austin, Texas, became a potential public safety hazard this week, when one patron's box of items was found to contain World War II-era explosives, police said. — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 Threets’ rise to fame began with pandemic-era posts on social media. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 The only current member of the Big 12 that has won a national title in the modern era is BYU, in 1984. — Mac Engel october 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026 Rylee Arnold made her pro debut one year after her elder sister’s exit in 2022 with season 31, ushering in a new era of the show, one boosted by social media. — Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for era
Recent Examples of Synonyms for era
Noun
  • Prosecutors charged her with registering to vote and casting a ballot the same day as Shah, but in her case at a polling location in Solano County.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Years earlier, a similar test by another group of researchers left their machine smoking, two days in a row.
    — Alex Pasternack, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • And until advanced age intervened, tap-dancing was his preferred form of exercise.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • While the youngest retirement age, 62, could receive up to $2,969 per month, a recipient who waited until 70 years old could receive up to $5,181 per month, according to the Social Security Administration.
    — Mackenzie Chase, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • In the debate Thursday night, Sullivan highlighted his record defending Alaska's energy and military interests in the state and attacked Peltola as ineffective during her time in office.
    — Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Larsson has missed practice time and the final three preseason games because of his illness, and Smith missed the entire preseason after straining his calf during training camp.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The electronic shelf labels make frequent changes easier but don't necessarily lead to higher prices during periods of strong demand.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Others are skeptical the task force can accomplish much in such a short time period, arguing that eventually sweeping new legislation will be needed to regulate AI.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Roman, named after NASA’s first female executive, is able to look at a patch of sky 100 times larger than the James Webb Space Telescope can, and peer more than 10 billion light years away, collecting images of the early epochs of the universe.
    — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • But more massive PBHs would last longer, with those roughly the mass of an asteroid enduring to evaporate in our current cosmic epoch.
    — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Era.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/era. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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