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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
Gemini in Chrome debuted in the US last year. Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 15 Apr. 2026 The Pentagon apparently needed Claude for one last job. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
Update your emergency kit and be sure to include enough food and water to last for 3 days for each person in your home. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026 Not everything is meant to last. Stephanie Dillon, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for last
Recent Examples of Synonyms for last
Adjective
  • His final line was stellar, with two hits and one walk allowed over eight shutout innings with four strikeouts.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
  • The Lightning and Panthers were tied 1-1 going into the final minute of the first period of Game 1 last season before Sam Reinhart scored the first of four straight Florida goals with 45 seconds left in the period.
    Eduardo A. Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • To be clear, there is little credible scholarly evidence that EdTech, in general, improves learning outcomes, and no conclusive evidence that generative AI improves learning outcomes over traditional human teaching.
    Dr. Timothy Scott, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Key Takeaways Taking vitamin C supplements daily may slightly lower blood pressure, but results are not conclusive.
    Vanessa Caceres, Verywell Health, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The five men face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Dive deep into the world of Roomba maintenance with a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to clean your Roomba for maximum efficiency.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Titanique doesn’t just survive the jump to Broadway.
    Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
  • In at least six instances, people have survived the operations, spurring efforts to find and rescue them in most cases.
    CBS News, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Samuel Machado will remain in custody; the judge denied his request to set bail.
    Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Since the 2021 army takeover, nearly 8,000 civilians have been killed and some 22,170 political detainees, including Suu Kyi, remain jailed, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a rights monitoring group.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 Apr. 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
  • Wyatt Johnston scored the decisive shootout goal and the Dallas Stars posted their third consecutive 50-win season with a 4-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night in the regular-season finale for both teams.
    CBS News, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Deni Avdija countered with a close-range finish, and after Jordan Goodwin’s reverse layup gave Phoenix the edge in the final 30 seconds, Avdija delivered the decisive blow.
    Doug Haller, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Since then, Beijing cut off most of its official dialogue with Taiwan's government in the capital Taipei and started sending military planes and vessels towards the island on a daily basis.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Because most moviegoers aren’t necessarily familiar with the technical aspects of getting inside a character.
    Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Last.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/last. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.

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