middle age

noun

Definition of middle agenext
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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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 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
  1. adulthood
  2. maturity
Noun
  • Now, people entering young adulthood and filing taxes will encounter an annual incentive to give that doesn’t require itemizing and that prompts them to learn about how to give back.
    — Dale Bannon, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Childhood was a distinct phase of life, not just nascent adulthood.
    — Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 31 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
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Cite this Entry

“Middle age.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/middle%20age. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on middle age

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about middle age

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