the last/final word

noun

1
: the final thing said in an argument or a discussion
Your mother's decision is the final word on the matter.
Why do you always have to have the last word?
2
: the power to make a final decision
The judge will have the last word on the divorce agreement.
3
informal : the most modern or best one of its kind
This is the last word in wireless phones.
The van's design is the last word in safety.

Examples of the last/final word in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And as more results came in, showing Phillips losing his own home state of Minnesota in a landslide, Phillips appeared determined to have the final word as his relevance on the national scene continued to fade. Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2024 In other words, al-Houthi will be a kind of counterpart to the supreme leader in Iran, who has the final word on all affairs of state. Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2024 However, the passage by the SEC will not be the final word in this development. Jon McGowan, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Vince always had the last word there, often to the detriment of everyone beneath him. Allison Morrow, CNN, 13 Feb. 2024 But that is probably not the last word on the subject. Rick Noack, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024 For the Parisian fashion industry—which, pre-war, had been the final word in fashion—rehabilitation was dire. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2024 Perhaps appropriately, the last word came from Giants quarterback and – as football fans well know by now – nearby New Jersey resident Tommy DeVito. Mike Brehm, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2024 With the three young men having the final word, the family narrowed it down to about 20 products to sell, which retail for between $5 and $25. Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 29 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the last/final word.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near the last/final word

Cite this Entry

“The last/final word.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20last%2Ffinal%20word. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

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