past 1 of 3

Definition of pastnext
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
That Thompson and Bernthal do not, in any way, interact like characters who have a long and difficult past together is more a fault of writing than performance. Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026 Freeman, who started both the Victoria Station and California Café restaurant chains and owns the Buena Vista in San Francisco, sought to reconnect to the building’s past. Jeff Burkhart, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Security forces were far more visible than during past days of protests—and more heavily armed. Davood Moradian, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026 Pendergrass has a past felony conviction for armed robbery and was not legally permitted to possess a gun, per the outlets. Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
Preposition
Jeffrey Viel picked up the loose puck and fed Gauthier, who charged past defenseman Vince Dunn down the right wing and beat Grubauer with a wrist shot inside the left post from the bottom of the right faceoff circle. Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026 The adaptation of Freida McFadden’s twisty novel became a sleeper hit through the holidays and beyond, powering well past its $35 million pricetag. Jack Dunn, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for past
Recent Examples of Synonyms for past
Noun
  • Washington — Federal Reserve officials convene this week at a pivotal moment in the US central bank’s 112-year history, with a series of historic events putting a spotlight on their ability to set interest rates without political interference.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 28 Jan. 2026
  • This is the moment history will ask about.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Aaron Glenn stood in front of a crowd of reporters, Jets staffers and former Jets players at his introductory news conference as the franchise’s new head coach and announced to the world that things were going to be different with him in charge.
    Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
  • This, however, is the first time a former presidential couple has been jailed at the same time.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 28 Jan. 2026
Preposition
  • Mixing and juxtaposing voices, lingos, and tones, [Dylan] traces the decline of America over the trajectory of his own lifetime through the kaleidoscope of the Kennedy assassination.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
  • When food is scarce or temperatures rise, animals are expected to choose survival over making offspring.
    Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Preposition
  • Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.
    , CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
  • In December, independent streetwear brand Named Collective announced the launch of activewear brand Nth Active after years of watching its customers wear its hoodies and joggers to the gym.
    Amy Francombe, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Chicago police said a witness found the 46-year-old unresponsive on the floor of a home in the 10100 block of South State Street.
    Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Today, Harry and his older brother, Prince William, remain estranged, royal experts say.
    Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Preposition
  • But beyond those four, a number of prospects with local ties also earned a spot among the game’s rising stars.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
  • But the storm's most severe impacts extended far beyond snowfall.
    Sergio Candido, CBS News, 25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • This article was generated by the Bay Area Home Report Bot, software that analyzes home sales or other data and creates an article based on a template created by humans.
    Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • The data included not only tax returns but also investment details, stock trades, gambling winnings, audit determinations, and other financial information.
    Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The erstwhile quarterback for the Judases should just stay home with Madison Beer, his erstwhile girlfriend, maybe take in a movie.
    Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
  • Inside, a trove of occult objects attests to its erstwhile owner’s conception of the space as a funerary mansion for his soul in the afterlife.
    Javier Montes, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Past.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/past. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

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