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last

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective last contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of last are final, terminal, and ultimate. While all these words mean "following all others (as in time, order, or importance)," last applies to something that comes at the end of a series but does not always imply that the series is completed or stopped.

last page of a book
last news we had of him

When is it sensible to use final instead of last?

In some situations, the words final and last are roughly equivalent. However, final applies to that which definitely closes a series, process, or progress.

final day of school

When can terminal be used instead of last?

The synonyms terminal and last are sometimes interchangeable, but terminal may indicate a limit of extension, growth, or development.

terminal phase of a disease

When is ultimate a more appropriate choice than last?

While in some cases nearly identical to last, ultimate implies the last degree or stage of a long process beyond which further progress or change is impossible.

the ultimate collapse of the system

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 last
Adjective
The Hollywood Reporter detailed in a cover story last year that Zendaya and Levinson’s relationship also cooled during the break. Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025 Natural Cycles, which raised $55 million in Series C funding last year, received FDA clearance to integrate data with the Oura ring and Apple Watch in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
Sample collection lasted about three to four years just for Cretaceous rocks, while another four to five were spent on the overlying rock that shows when mammals lived at the site after the dinosaurs went extinct. Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025 This growth can’t last forever early on, as radiation carries lots of energy and exerts a significant amount of pressure. Big Think, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for last
Recent Examples of Synonyms for last
Adjective
  • His family said their final goodbyes to him during an emotional funeral procession on July 30, which took place in Birmingham.
    Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The Las Vegas Raiders are making their final preparations for their Week 7 showdown against the AFC West rival Kansas City Chiefs.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The initial analysis, concluded on August 8, 2025, confirmed the skull was that of an adult, but could not provide further conclusive information.
    Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 17 Oct. 2025
  • That means kimchi's beneficial bacteria could potentially offset the hypertensive effects of sodium, although the research is not conclusive.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • And the policies are projected to have far-ranging effects on most areas of business, including a potential loss of hundreds of thousands of immigrant workers in sectors like information and educational and health services.
    Nino Paoli, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
  • First, despite tabloid headlines about Leto, such noise doesn’t factor into moviegoers’ decisions to buy or not buy a ticket; it could be argued most were not even in the know of the June Air Mail exposé on his alleged behavior.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • To survive, universities must reclaim their calling as moral and intellectual lighthouses, standing firm against intimidation, complacency and fear.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Apple computers have come with text-editing software since the original Mac was released, in 1984; the current iteration of the program launched in the mid-nineties and has survived relatively unchanged.
    Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Razorbacks forced a punt and Green threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to O’Mega Blake with 2 seconds remaining to cut Texas A&M’s lead to 21-20 at halftime.
    Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Interim coaches typically have an uphill battle to remain the head coach long-term.
    Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The video is the latest in a lengthy stream of controversies the probation department has faced in recent years.
    James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2023
  • The shooting happened the day before the fifth anniversary of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting that killed 17 and is the latest in what has become a deadly new year in the U.S.
    Joey Cappelletti and Mike Householder, Anchorage Daily News, 15 Feb. 2023
Adjective
  • Chicago won in its return to the postseason for the first time since 2017 – and advanced for the first time since reaching the Eastern Conference final in 2009 – by virtue of a decisive 3-1 win over Orlando City.
    Avi Creditor, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • New York City mayoral candidates Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa tried to land a decisive blow against Zohran Mamdani in the last debate before early voting began.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Try to fit in the maximum amount of storage space.
    Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
  • That is especially worrisome for the kinds of felony charges faced by Rozier, Billups and Jones, who, if convicted, could face maximum prison sentences of decades.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Last.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/last. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

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