past 1 of 3

as in history
the events or experience of former times we spent a pleasant evening recalling the past together

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

past

2 of 3

adjective

past

3 of 3

preposition

1
as in over
on or to the farther side of I drive past the school every day

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in after
subsequent to in time or order it's ten minutes past six o'clock

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 past
Noun
More than 5,000 people participated during the 2024 season, a number the city expects to blast past, especially considering the program has returned in a bigger way, with more than 90 attractions and restaurants on board this year. Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 3 Sep. 2025 It is often characterized as a unproductive fixation on an idealized past, one that prevents people from living in the present and planning for the future. Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The analyst also applauded QXO’s business playbook, which Chairman and CEO Brad Jacobs has used to outperform the broader market and in past ventures. Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025 The footage revealed a canine still deeply affected by past experiences, unsure of his safety even outdoors, and in the company of his new owner. Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Preposition
Between 2019 and 2025, Manatee County added more than 60,000 residents, pushing its population past 455,000 and naturally driving up property tax revenues with new development. Josh Salman, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025 Dieback describes this feedback loop of localized forest death spreading outwards, and past the 60-80% mark the entire Amazon is at risk of collapse. Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for past
Recent Examples of Synonyms for past
Noun
  • This history lesson was not, however, the focus of the year two students, who clamored towards the phone box with Camilla in tow to try out a British tradition.
    Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Only seven primary catchers have eclipsed 300 or more homers in MLB history.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Mace's former fiancé denied the accusations.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The firms of former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, hedge fund billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller and philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs joined an $863 million fundraise for Commonwealth Fusion Systems.
    Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
Preposition
  • The aforementioned deal sheets would often see people still toiling away well beyond midnight in order to get late business over the line.
    Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025
  • But the real cost compounds over time.
    Britney Porter, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Preposition
  • Stevenson, who was on probation and is not legally allowed to own a firearm, is accused of killing his victim after impaling him with an arrow, according to the RPD.
    Chris Spargo, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Wait for 30 minutes after the final lightning or thunder before heading outside again.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Amid the album's release, Justin shared several clips and photos on Instagram of billboards and projections in various locations around the world featuring a photo with his 1-year-old son Jack Blues, and himself and his wife, 28, with the little one.
    Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Preposition
  • That idea, that the changes are most prominent in academic writing, comes up a lot, but the shift has been observed beyond academia, too.
    John Werner, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The closest major airport is Toronto Pearson International, with direct flights from New York, Chicago, Boston, and beyond.
    Alexandra Emanuelli, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Lopez noted and mocked Johnson’s comments, sarcastically asking why the mayor didn’t blame it on other historic phenomena.
    Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Additional locations may experience flooding during periods of heavy rainfall, high winds, or other factors.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But now, with another tough contract negotiation on the horizon, SAG-AFTRA is going to have to push forward without its erstwhile leader from Queens.
    Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2025
  • Another was an erstwhile belt factory and a third is in the former Cook County Hospital.
    Brian E. Clark, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Past.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/past. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.

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