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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
War Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed last week that the Pentagon is seeking at least $200 billion in additional federal funding for the Iran war. Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 25 Mar. 2026 Sea Scout officials say that they've been targeted in several recent incidents, including last year when an outboard motor was stolen. Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
Leading suppliers are expecting shortages to last until at least 2030, so prices aren't going anywhere but up. K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026 Instead, that run lasted just five years. Aaron Beard, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for last
Recent Examples of Synonyms for last
Adjective
  • The only trick now is for the league to get a team to the final Monday night of the season and actually cut down the nets.
    ABC News, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • This is typically the final stage of testing before a drug can be submitted for regulatory approval.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The research isn’t conclusive, however.
    Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 18 Mar. 2026
  • The broader data is less conclusive on mental health benefits, said West, perhaps because participants get anxious about the programs ending, coupled with the rising cost of living.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Listings on the Swimply app says whether parties are allowed at the venue and also include details on the maximum number of guests allowed, access to restrooms and parking and any age or pet restrictions.
    Mary Ramsey March 25, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Coal and nuclear pivot The government has sought to pivot to coal as an alternative source, removing an 80% maximum operation limit, and nuclear energy by raising the nuclear power plant utilization rate from around 70% to over 80%.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In an era when brick-and-mortar bookstores seem to be in grave peril, this charming West Village corner store, which first opened in 1968, has managed to survive.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
  • All people were able to survive with no life-threatening injuries.
    Jessica Riley, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Upon arriving, the drone will remain up to 300 feet in the air while a pod, attached by a tether and carrying the product, descends to the ground.
    Chase Jordan March 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Following the money While much of the money’s final destination remains unclear, the documents offer glimpses into how some of it was spent.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 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
  • Analysts say his decisive mandate could give him room to pursue reforms.
    ABC News, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Half-winger, pure showman, Hazard would not always contribute a decisive goal or assist for Chelsea.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Miles is a brilliant basketball player, comparable to a painter or actor with her showmanship on the court and a mind that operates at a different level than most other athletes.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Polls suggest that most people want owners to pay for their own stadiums, but sports teams are desired and beloved, a source not only of entertainment but also of civic pride.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Last.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/last. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.

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