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
  • People could experience long durations of high temperatures with little to no overnight relief from the swelter.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026
  • This approach isn’t all that different from last year for the fourth-year quarterback; Young played for varying durations in two of the Panthers’ three preseason contests in 2025.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of durations
Noun
  • Winter Springs was whistled for 14 penalties for 135 yards, and Hagerty was flagged 12 times for 125 yards.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The Cubs and Brewers square off seven times in that span, with Monday’s victory putting the North Siders 7 games back of first-place Milwaukee.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of times
Noun
  • Additionally, owning Imax would provide any filmmaker that signed on to work with Netflix the opportunity for premium theatrical runs.
    — Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • According to Fielding Bible, the club ranks ninth with 36 defensive runs saved.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of runs
Noun
  • Anedda’s way of capturing different moments from different linguistic or interpretive points of view allows the everyday elements of our lives to find space in poetry, democratically.
    — Wallis Wilde-Menozzi, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
  • During their reign in Hollywood’s Golden Age, their lives and cinematic work played out ideals about femininity and its expectations in American culture writ large.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of lives
Noun
  • Her legacy will last for lifetimes, said Parker, who worked as an aide for Granger and on her campaign.
    — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The researchers explain that the approach could extend catalyst lifetimes, reduce maintenance and replacement costs, and support the development of more commercially viable hydrogen production systems using renewable electricity.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of lifetimes

Browse Nearby Words

lifespan
life spans
lifestyle
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Cite this Entry

“Life spans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/life%20spans. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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