MIDDLE AGES Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

middle age

noun

Definition of middle age

as in adulthood

the period in a person's life from about age 40 to about age 60 as our generation approaches middle age When he reached middle age, he became suddenly obsessed with reliving his carefree college years.

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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 middle age Klotho crests in youth before settling in adulthood and dwindling in middle age. — Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 9 Aug. 2026 The research, published Wednesday in the journal Neurology Open Access, found that people who avoid three vascular risk factors in middle age — high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking — had about 13 more dementia-free years. — Lily Alvino, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026 People were in middle age at the study’s start, and no one had dementia. — Kathleen Felton, Time, 7 Aug. 2026 New research suggests that avoiding three risk factors in middle age — high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking — could give you 13 more dementia-free years later in life. — Rob Williams, EverydayHealth.com, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for middle age

Recent Examples of Synonyms for middle age

Noun

But Japan’s experience suggests what can happen when a bunch of young people who did everything right to prepare for adulthood find the fruits of adulthood deferred, en masse.

— Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026
In what many compared to Friends, the series charted the group’s personal and professional lives as each of them attempted to figure out adulthood.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of adulthood

Noun

Over time, however, the construct of critical thinking has expanded to encompass personal development, emotional reflection, and dispositional traits such as inquisitiveness, self-confidence, and maturity.

— Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Her coach at the academy, Daniel Gomez, told me that he was immediately struck by the maturity of her game.

— Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of maturity

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middle age

middle-aged

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“Middle age.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/middle%20age. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of middle age

noun

Example Sentences

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