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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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
Kim plays a former U.S. intelligence agent living in South Korea when an enemy agent tries to kill him and has to confront his past to save his family. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025 Poland carries its layered past with resilient pride. Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
In past years the community festival has highlighted small businesses, music artist and fashion designers, This year the event is paying special attention to including young children and teens. Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025 Middle Tennessee's Mill Creek has been tainted by past development Nashville Zoo Ectotherm Curator Dale McGinnity said Mill Creek has already endured decades of exponential growth along the creek, straining the Nashville crayfish population. Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 14 Aug. 2025
Preposition
Ramirez also scored in the seventh and moved past Kenny Lofton into third place in Cleveland history with 977 runs. Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025 Enchanted Circle Drive The Enchanted Circle Drive circumnavigates Wheeler Peak, the highest mountain in New Mexico, and cuts through the lush Hondo Valley, past the Taos Pueblo, and into old gold mining towns. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for past
Recent Examples of Synonyms for past
Noun
  • The rout was just one goal shy of matching the Liga MX record for the biggest win in the division's history when Pumas UNAM dominated Veracruz 8-0 back in November 2007.
    Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Aug. 2025
  • The suit is part of a history of antagonism between Gillett and the industry over adverse decisions that the utilities argue are based on misapplication of regulatory law.
    Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Superstore alums took to social media to memorialize their former costar on Thursday.
    Lauren Huff Published, EW.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • In an article published through the National Institute of Justice, Brown and others interviewed former extremists in the United States, as well as their family and friends, to better understand the shift from participating in ideological debate to taking violent actions.
    Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Preposition
  • Rivera continued her stellar start in rotation two, hitting her challenging floor routine for another score over 14.00 – the gold standard in women’s elite gymnastics.
    Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2025
  • After the win, Shelton, fighting back tears, walked over to his team.
    Lukas Weese, New York Times, 8 Aug. 2025
Preposition
  • So, how will the Buffs remain in the mix for a bowl game after the exodus of players to the NFL, including Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders?
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The offense has more holes to fill but quarterback Dylan Elmer is back after splitting time as the starter last season.
    Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The most recent bill targets the nation's oldest and largest teachers' union's ability to lobby.
    Angele Latham, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Today, Khamenei ranks among the world’s oldest and longest-serving heads of state.
    Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Preposition
  • However, perspective-shifting extends beyond word choice.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • The Valkyries had their third-worst shooting night of the season from beyond the arc (4-for-22) and had a season-low nine assists.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Third, both Trump and Xi want to meet each other, most likely in the Fall in Asia.
    Scott Kennedy, Time, 16 Aug. 2025
  • The caramelization process converts starches to sugar in sweet potatoes as well as in other veggies.
    Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • For that is indeed the erstwhile marijuana mogul’s official job title, at least for now.
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 10 Aug. 2025
  • In 2019, the erstwhile pair picked up a second neighboring property for $2.7 million.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Past.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/past. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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