In about 300 BCE, Greek philosopher Epicurus proposed that the universe's boundaries were limitless and that space was full of other worlds.
Source: tatoeba (6285243)
Bce
Synonyms for "bce" (8 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (2)
Adverb(1 words)
b.c.e.
Noun(1 words)
bc era
Strong matches (2)
Noun(2 words)
bc periodbefore common era
Related words (4)
Noun(4 words)
before the common eradate notationhistorical dating conventionprecommon era
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: b.c.e., bc era, bc period, before common era, before the common era.
- Sentence evidence is available for bce, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "bce".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "bce"
Keep "bce" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "bce" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "bce", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "bce" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
7 entriescalendar designationcalendar eradating conventiondating standardnotation conventiontemporal designationtime designation
More specific
7 entriescentury BCEearly BCEfifth century BCEfourth century BCElate BCEthird century BCEyear BCE
Collocations
10 entriesBCE calendarBCE chronologyBCE dateBCE datingBCE eraBCE timelinebefore common eraearly BCElate BCEyear BCE
Inflections
1 entriesDerivations
2 entriesBCE dating labelBefore Common Era expansion
Sample sentences
10 total sentences available.
The Greeks discovered the Italian peninsula in the 7th century BCE.
Source: tatoeba (7338047)
Since the end of the eighteenth century, the group of peoples who spread, probably from the Arabian peninsula, to Mesopotamia, Syria and Palestine around 3000 BCE — and, before 700 BC from southern Arabia to Abyssinia, on the opposite African mainland — have been designated as Semites. They were so called after Shem, who, according to the first Book of Moses, chapter 10, was the eldest son of Noah.
Source: tatoeba (8118385)
Historically speaking, writing on paper has been around since 300 BCE, but archaeologically, there is only evidence from 100 BCE.
Source: tatoeba (8160648)
Showing 4 of 10 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "bce"?
Closest matches include b.c.e., bc era, bc period, before common era, before the common era.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "bce"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.