1
as in monthlies
an occurrence of menstruating she hoped her period wouldn't start until she got home

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
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 This would be a fantastic period to start a dream journal or look for synchronicities in everything. Kyle Thomas, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025 Third-period changes Marner wound up back with Matthews and Knies in the third. Omar White, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025 The Wild played a hideous third period, and the Blues got two more goals from Kyrou. Michael Russo, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025 The Nets scored consistently enough throughout the second half to cut a 21-point Boston lead to 3 two minutes into the period, but Porziņģis responded with 10 straight Celtics points. Jay King, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for period
Recent Examples of Synonyms for period
Noun
  • Later in the day, the Toyota Prius Kolomoeits is suspected of using in the kidnapping was seen crossing the border into Mexico at San Ysidro.
    Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Keep a daily running score or just play for a new score each day.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Along with menstruation, birth control or other medications can influence estrogen levels.
    Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Abnormal bleeding or discharge not associated with menstruation.
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Now the Trump administration ushered in a new era of immigration raids, fewer protections from the city and the new fear that churches could be targeted by immigration officials.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Now, advocates say President Trump's second term has ushered in a new era of fear for adoptees without citizenship.
    Juliana Kim, NPR, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • At this time, there is no information on the containment of the fire and the cause of it has yet to be determined.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • At this time last year, 44 homicides had been reported in the city, according to Star data.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The National Civilian Community Corps deployed adults between the ages of 18 and 26 to work for weeks at a time to serve in communities, working on disaster response, environmental conservation and wildfire prevention across the country.
    Aishvarya Kavi, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2025
  • There are two different vaccines available based on age.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Researchers hope the discovery will provide some new insights about the first inhabitants of Western Europe during the Early Pleistocene epoch.
    Bradford Betz, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The ancient oceans of the Eocene epoch teemed with lifeforms that today seem almost otherworldly.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Period.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/period. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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