as in senility
technical + formal
the state of being old or the process of becoming old
premature senescence
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Recent Examples of senescence
Sinclair’s work on senescence intersects with new therapeutic directions in oncology, from CAR-T failures linked to T-cell exhaustion to the growing interest in senolytic adjuvants.
—
Gilberto Lopes,
STAT,
12 Feb. 2026
Further experiments revealed that the extracellular vesicles stopped senescence by using the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin, which coats their surfaces and then causes a release of enzymes that block the effects of oxidative stress which unleash senescence.
—
New Atlas,
4 Jan. 2026
Or, the first generation simply declined from senescence and the debilitating effects of power long exercised without check.
—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
4 Jan. 2026
An early step in leaf senescence is formation of what’s called the abscission layer — a corky layer of cells that forms where the leaf petiole eventually detaches from the branch.
—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for senescence
Gilberto Lopes,
STAT,
12 Feb. 2026
Further experiments revealed that the extracellular vesicles stopped senescence by using the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin, which coats their surfaces and then causes a release of enzymes that block the effects of oxidative stress which unleash senescence.
—
New Atlas,
4 Jan. 2026
Or, the first generation simply declined from senescence and the debilitating effects of power long exercised without check.
—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
4 Jan. 2026
An early step in leaf senescence is formation of what’s called the abscission layer — a corky layer of cells that forms where the leaf petiole eventually detaches from the branch.
—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for senescence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for senescence
Noun
-
Then the interview happens, and Thomas is swinging between lucidity and senility, and a million things about their relationship come up, and the fiction records the interview the phone couldn’t capture.
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Is Chuck Schumer headed down the same dark treadmill to senility pioneered by Dementia Joe Biden before him?
Noun
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In fact, research shows that when given the choice, on-site work remains the least popular option across every age range according to Gallup.
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Perfect for children ages 3-5, the event starts by reading Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert.
Noun
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Far from being a sign of dotage, scientists concurred, music practice in old age confers all kinds of cognitive benefits.
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In his basketball dotage, Kyle Lowry is getting soft.
Noun
-
When questions are not really questions Children don’t have the experience or emotional maturity to weigh in on every decision or determine what happens next.
-
The teenage phenom is able to complement his obvious technical skills with a flair and maturity in high-pressure situations that is well beyond his years.
Cite this Entry
“Senescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/senescence. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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