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Definition of lastnext
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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

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
State wildlife officials euthanized a bear that swiped at a Monrovia woman last Saturday morning. Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026 That’s despite the fact that his campaign also took in money from AIPAC and UDP donors last year. Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
The trial, which is expected to last two weeks, started in earnest on March 10 with opening statements, and three other accusers are poised to testify, the New York Times reported. Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026 The deal came after the two sides spent the past eight days in intense in-person negotiations that lasted for more than 100 hours. Doug Feinberg, Twin Cities, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for last
Recent Examples of Synonyms for last
Adjective
  • Democrats declined to provide the support needed to move the funding measure toward final passage.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Gates made a powerful declaration with his final postgame news conference of the season.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Such evidence is key in assessing responsibility for a strike, and without it, assessments cannot be conclusive.
    Gianluca Mezzofiore, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026
  • As of Saturday night, after Maxey took that nasty spill in the waning moments of the Philadelphia 76ers’ 125-116 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, there wasn’t anything conclusive on his status.
    Tony Jones, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Earlier Tuesday, the NWS confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Ridgely, Maryland, Monday night that also had maximum winds of 100 mph.
    Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
  • On Monday, Horst said Scott would need about 170 additional days in jail to complete that maximum sentence.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The observations suggest that the dense dusty torus in NGC 6302 may act as a protective shield, allowing frozen carbon dioxide to survive despite the harsh radiation nearby.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2026
  • His portrayal of Władysław Szpilman, a real-life Polish Jewish musician who survived the horrors of the Holocaust, is astonishingly raw.
    Devan Coggan, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Some questions may be adapted into full columns, and transcripts of the chats remain available after each session concludes.
    Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Units remain stretched across the Middle East amid the war with Iran.
    Steven Beynon, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
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
  • Isabella Vasquez scored the decisive eighth goal to finish the match.
    Ishmael Johnson, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
  • With core inflation well above the Fed's 2% target and little evidence of a decisive and sustained move toward that goal, policymakers will maintain their current policy setting.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Advice columnist Carolyn Hax takes your comments and questions most Fridays about life, family, relationships and more.
    Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Seasons and the Earth's tilt On the equinox, the sun rises almost due east and sets nearly due west for most of the world, except for the North and South poles.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Last.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/last. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.

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