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 Beset with doubts and periods of blockage, Krasner had to find constantly ways to move on and pursue a trajectory that was all her own, all while facing Pollock’s larger-than-life. — John Yau, ARTnews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 Temperatures are forecast to remain below normal through the period, with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s and overnight lows mostly in the 60s, except upper 50s northwest of I-4. — Felix Rodriguez, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 The current comment period is the first opportunity for the broader public to interact with the work of the commission, which has been meeting since May. — P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026 Talarico, however, reported more than $60 million during that period. — Matthew Choi, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for period

Recent Examples of Synonyms for period

Noun

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
Other factors outside personal control include dense breast tissue, starting menstruation before age 12, reaching menopause after age 55, never having been pregnant and prior radiation therapy to the chest before age 30.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of menstruation

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

Definition of day

Noun

Harvard Business School professor Willy Shih, who joined Seroka for the briefing, urged caution on declaring the China era over.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
The music, written, according to Paul McCartney, as a message to Black Americans during the civil rights era—and more recently reinterpreted by Beyoncé—sounds from the Cornell Chimes, located 173-feet high at the top of the school’s McGraw Tower.

— Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of era

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

Definition of time

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

Definition of age

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

Definition of epoch

Browse Nearby Words

perimeters

period

periodic

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

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Synonyms of period

noun

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