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 industry is also entering a slower period, which will include two-for-one ticket promotions, ahead of the fall ramp up in new shows. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026 Over the years, instruments that were sent out for repair weren’t available to students for extended periods of time. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026 In July, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin promised that the department would be releasing similar analyses during the general election early voting period and while votes are being counted. — Miles Parks, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026 The new songs on Goin’ Local are the result of a slow gestation period over several years, some beginning more than a decade ago with his co-producer Tony Shanahan, bassist from the Patti Smith Group. — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for period

Recent Examples of Synonyms for period

Noun

Always Discreet shares a name with P&G’s menstruation product,s but remains one of the younger brands in the company’s portfolio.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
According to Frey, that suggests that any potential effect on menstruation may be related to the drugs themselves rather than solely a secondary effect of weight loss.

— Laura Bradley, HEALTH, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of menstruation

Noun

But Moores would express misery in recalling ballpark-construction hassles and MLB politics that frustrated his advocacy of small-market clubs and game-day affordability.

— Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
However, parents should be extra vigilant because this is also an accident-prone day for your kids.

— Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of day

Noun

Jerry’s arrival ushered in one of the greatest eras in NBA history.

— Law Murray, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Once a fixture of the American experience, the custom of collectively huddling around the cathode-ray hearth has largely been supplanted by the isolationist practices of the smartphone era.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of era

Noun

New Florida women’s soccer coach Nick Zimmerman wasted little time signaling better days are ahead — much sooner than anyone expected.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Lanterns wastes little time explaining this backstory ad nauseam and instead creates an immediately inviting dynamic between him and Hal, who comes to him demanding information on Manhunters.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of time

Noun

Yet, in contending with the invading species, Denise is fashioned into a female action hero more in keeping with the epoch of director Quentin Tarantino than with that of President Ronald Reagan.

— Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026
The shape of a certain kind of scandal is remarkably similar, epoch to epoch.

— Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 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 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of period

noun

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