life spans

noun

plural of life span
as in durations
the period during which something exists, lasts, or is in progress I saw no need to pay more for a better-built computer that would just grow obsolete before the end of its life span

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 life spans Laboratory studies have shown that rapamycin could extend the life spans of yeast and mice—but, in a recent randomized human trial, older adults on the medication didn’t seem to experience any physical gains. — Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 Within that category, repair emerged as a particularly strong theme, reflecting a growing desire for extending product life spans over continually purchasing new items. — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 11 June 2026 This embrace of coal is a short-term fix—extending the life spans of older coal-burning plants rather than spawning a wave of new ones. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 19 May 2026 Her life spans a century of dedication to and passion for all things creative in a lifetime of benefit to and for all. — Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026 What are the life spans of data centers? — Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026 In many-minded terms, an octopus’s natural life spans so many lives that the one-minded might call it unnatural or even schizophrenic. — Mandy-Suzanne Wong, Longreads, 5 Feb. 2026 The concept of Mother Earth or Mother Nature as the center of the universe and source of all life spans Indigenous cultures around the globe. — Melinda Laituri, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026 Steeped in the civil rights movement Norton was born and raised in Washington, and her life spans the arc of the district’s trials and triumphs. — Matt Brown, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for life spans
  1. durations
  2. times
  3. runs
  4. lives
  5. lifetimes
Noun
  • Kalshi removed betting markets tied to athlete injury durations from its app on Tuesday.
    — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • As a bonus finding, hotter weather appeared to send everyone home sooner, shrinking trip durations across the board.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of durations
Noun
  • Winter Springs was whistled for 14 penalties for 135 yards, and Hagerty was flagged 12 times for 125 yards.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The Cubs and Brewers square off seven times in that span, with Monday’s victory putting the North Siders 7 games back of first-place Milwaukee.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of times
Noun
  • In winning for the second time in seven games, Detroit scored more than two runs for the first time in that span.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Perez surrendered six runs, nine hits and three walks over 4 2/3 frames for the Marlins.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of runs
Noun
  • Released in 2025, the first part of Julia Loktev’s monumental documentary project My Undesirable Friends, subtitled Last Air in Moscow, gave us a sprawling, breathless look at a few devastating months in the lives of Russian journalists.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • God willing, that place will be juvenile court, where the lives of these young people can be respected and honored.
    — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of lives
Noun
  • Just the latest embarrassment from the worst president in any of our lifetimes.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
  • However, given the long lifetimes of nuclear facilities, it could be moved to a new position once the contract is served.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of lifetimes

Browse Nearby Words

lifespan
life spans
lifestyle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Life spans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/life%20spans. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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