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
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Recent Examples of life spans
But after these funds dried up, schools have struggled to replace broken or outdated devices, which last on average less than a decade despite Google’s efforts to extend device life spans.
—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 10 Apr. 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
Move your body more Adding just a few minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day can help contribute to longer life spans, particularly for people with sedentary lifestyles.
—Hunter Boyce, AJC.com, 21 Jan. 2026
From Kuwait to a small Italian university town, and then to New York and Arizona, his life spans love and loss, grief and success.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 10 Apr. 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
Move your body more Adding just a few minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day can help contribute to longer life spans, particularly for people with sedentary lifestyles.
—Hunter Boyce, AJC.com, 21 Jan. 2026
From Kuwait to a small Italian university town, and then to New York and Arizona, his life spans love and loss, grief and success.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for life spans
Noun
-
While there is little conclusive, specific data on the relationship between mortality and long-term medication treatment, studies show that, in general, longer treatment durations yield better outcomes.—
Lev Facher,
STAT,
27 Apr. 2026
-
These particles were then fed into the trap and held for durations ranging from milliseconds to several seconds before being released and detected.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
She has been capped five times at international level since her senior debut against Spain in June 2025, and says a World Cup place remains her ambition.—
Ali Rampling,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The Mets have scored one run or none 10 times, including five shutouts.—
Ronald Blum,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Yet the Marlins got six hits and three runs, the Dodgers had seven hits and two runs.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
When runners are on base, the hitters are unable to drive them in for runs.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood, and one donation may help save up to three lives, according to the American Red Cross.—
Francine Knowles,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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The suspect appeared in a 2017 segment on KABC-TV about a conference showcasing inventions aimed at improving the lives of seniors.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Other people who have spent their lifetimes in football say Bernard looks like a Marvel creation.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
In many cases, the properties themselves are the most valuable asset that the families own, often left to them by parents or grandparents that spent lifetimes working to afford the properties as a patrimony to their descendants.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Life spans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/life%20spans. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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