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Definition of lastnext
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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

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
That figure exploded to nearly $300 million in city payouts last year. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026 Slovis, signed Tuesday, played in two games for the Arizona Cardinals last season. — CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
Verb
Organic mulches like bark and wood chips last about one year, while inorganic mulch such as gravel, landscape fabric, and rubber mulch can last longer. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2026 Whether allotmentcore lasts beyond 2026 remains uncertain, but rising interest could also affect what shoppers pay for traditional workwear. — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for last
Recent Examples of Synonyms for last
Adjective
  • But not all their mass gets glommed together to form the final black hole boss.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The team used those models to guide fabrication and optimize the final device.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Bailey’s findings are compelling but shouldn’t be considered conclusive, cautions Richard Blakemore, maritime history professor at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom who also wasn’t involved with Bailey’s work.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The evidence is intriguing but not conclusive, historians caution; Jones was a common name, and the records do not definitively establish his role.
    — Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Just cut your perennials back late in spring to 6 to 8 inches above the ground for maximum benefit for insects.
    — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The marinade combines tamarind purée, fish sauce, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, and cumin, with extra glaze brushed on for maximum flavor and char.
    — Rachel Gurjar, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • He is survived by his wife, four children and two grandchildren, Isabella and Edward.
    — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The 2023 marine heat wave gave us a way to identify the corals more likely to survive.
    — Steven Vollmer, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, remains in charge.
    — CARA ANNA, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Seniors need clear assurances that their prescriptions will remain available, their delivery options will continue, and their care will not be interrupted.
    — L. Prather McKinnon, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 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 American Western drama is the latest of Taylor Sheridan's ever-growing Yellowstone franchise surrounding the legacy of the Dutton family from west of the Mississippi.
    — Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 14 Feb. 2023
Adjective
  • The decisive Game 7 will be played at Chase Center in San Francisco on Saturday night as each team seeks its first WNBA championship.
    — Charles Odum, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • That means party switchers could be a decisive voting block in Tuesday’s statewide races.
    — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • This seems like a perfectly reasonable debate/dialogue/deliberation to have without everybody--well, most bodies--running for the exits.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Unlike most New York governors, Hochul is not from New York City or its suburbs, but hails from the Buffalo area -- a more than six-hour drive away.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Last.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/last. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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