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
Relevance
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
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
Move your body more Adding just a few minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day can help contribute to longer life spans, particularly for people with sedentary lifestyles.
—Hunter Boyce, AJC.com, 21 Jan. 2026
From Kuwait to a small Italian university town, and then to New York and Arizona, his life spans love and loss, grief and success.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
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
Move your body more Adding just a few minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day can help contribute to longer life spans, particularly for people with sedentary lifestyles.
—Hunter Boyce, AJC.com, 21 Jan. 2026
From Kuwait to a small Italian university town, and then to New York and Arizona, his life spans love and loss, grief and success.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for life spans
Noun
-
Yields fell across durations on Wednesday morning as nerves calmed, but narrowed on reports Starmer’s leadership rival Wes Streeting is preparing to resign as health secretary.—
Elsa Ohlen,Joseph Wilkins,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
-
That data consisted of random phone numbers and matches with names, call times and call durations.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
At times, officials in the Mayor’s office viewed Jeffries as an ally.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Some come out the other side of illness, but most loop through an unpredictable whirlpool, at times within sight of shore, at other moments spinning back out to sea.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Schlittler posted six-plus innings, seven strikeouts and two runs against.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
In the Patriot League, Madison Adams went 3-for-3 with two triples and drove in two runs, backing Caroline Arruda’s 11 strikeouts as Marshfield blanked Plymouth North 11-0.—
Kristina Banahan,
Boston Herald,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
The volunteer team was a diverse group of people, at different stages in their lives, and from various social and cultural backgrounds.—
Via Riverhead,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
Authorities are trying to unravel what led two teenagers to open fire at the San Diego Islamic Center, killing three people before taking their own lives.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
The soil samples confirmed that these individuals had been treated with mercury during their lifetimes, rather than absorbing it from the soil.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
17 May 2026
-
For years, experts warned that Covid-19 would not be the last major infectious disease crisis of our lifetimes.—
Krutika Kuppalli,
STAT,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Life spans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/life%20spans. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
