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
  • The modular design also supports flexible storage durations of 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • These personalized vacations allow travelers to choose their companions, customize itineraries, and select flexible dates and durations, avoiding potential personality clashes.
    — Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of durations
Noun
  • Winning another Emmy is off the table, though, making this a race between the gifted Seehorn, a perennial Emmy underachiever, and Russell, nominated five times as actor and still looking for her first trophy.
    — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
Definition of times
Noun
  • Eovaldi impressed with a season-high 10 strikeouts and allowed only two runs, marking a big flip from the night before.
    — Cal Phillips Updated July 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026
  • In April, in a four-game series against the New York Yankees, Trout hit five home runs and drove in nine runs.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of runs
Noun
  • While Spirometra are known to have long lives in humans, the lifespan is typically reported as being around 20 to 30 years.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2026
  • Prioritize safety, stay impeccably informed, and assume responsibility to shield lives and property.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of lives
Noun
  • In a particularly eerie feat of conformity, every man in the portrait gallery wears a near-identical blue coat, even though portraits from their lifetimes feature them dressed in an assortment of brown, black, gray and other-colored garments.
    — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
  • For generations of Americans, 2026 is the first major national anniversary in their lifetimes.
    — Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 3 July 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 10 Jul. 2026.

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