Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

last

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of last

1 following all others of the same kind in order or time

  • last one in the pool is a rotten egg
  • fans waiting for the last book in the series to be released
Synonyms of last

bottommost, closing, concluding, final, hindmost, lag, latest, latter, rearmost, terminal, terminating, ultimate
Words Related to last

consequent, ensuing, eventual, following, succeeding

conclusive, crowning, decisive, definitive

farthermost, farthest, furthermost, furthest, remotest

lowermost, lowest, nethermost

endmost, extreme, outermost, outmost, utmost

penultimate
Near Antonyms of last

eminent, premier, superior
Antonyms of last

beginning, earliest, first, foremost, headmost, inaugural, initial, leadoff, maiden, opening, original, pioneer, primary, starting

2 serving to put an end to all debate or questioning

  • a book that purports to be the last word on the investigation
Synonyms of last

absolute, clear, conclusive, deciding, decisive, definitive
Words Related to last

determinate, determinative, dispositive, hands-down, inarguable, incontestable, incontrovertible, indisputable, indubitable, irrefutable, unanswerable, undebatable, undeniable, undisputable, unquestionable

unchallenged, uncontested, undisputed

unambiguous, unequivocal

certain, definite, positive, sure

cogent, compelling, convincing, persuasive, telling
Near Antonyms of last

debatable, disputable, doubtable, doubtful, moot, problematic (also problematical), questionable, refutable

ambiguous, equivocal

controversial, debated, disputed
Antonyms of last

inconclusive, indecisive, unclear

3 of the greatest or highest degree or quantity

  • our last praise should be reserved for those original thinkers who expand the frontiers of science and technology
Synonyms of last

consummate, max, maximum, most, nth, outside, paramount, supreme, top, ultimate, utmost, uttermost
Words Related to last

unequaled (or unequalled), unmatched, unparalleled, unrivaled (or unrivalled), unsurpassed

biggest, hugest, largest

topmost, upmost, uppermost
Near Antonyms of last

littlest, minutest, smallest, tiniest

lowest

fewest
Antonyms of last

least, minimal, minimum, slightest

Synonym Discussion of last

last, final, terminal, ultimate 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
final applies to that which definitely closes a series, process, or progress.
    • final day of school
terminal may indicate a limit of extension, growth, or development.
    • terminal phase of a disease
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

last

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of last

1 to continue to operate or to meet oneʼs needs

  • we were lucky that the batteries lasted until we could get to the store to buy more
Synonyms of last

hold out, hold up, keep up, prevail, survive
Words Related to last

bear up, carry on, cope, endure, fare, get along, get by, get on, go, hang in, make out, manage, persevere

abide, continue, draw out, hang on, hold on, linger, persist, remain, run on, stretch
Near Antonyms of last

break, break down, collapse, conk (out), crash, cut out, die, expire, stall, stop

run down, wane
Antonyms of last

fail, fizzle, give out, go out, peter (out), run out

2 to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state

  • this heavy drought has lasted all summer
Synonyms of last

abide, bide, continue, endure, hold on, hold up, keep up, perdure, persist, remain, run on
Words Related to last

linger, stay, stick around, tarry

carry through, prevail, survive
Near Antonyms of last

abate, die (down), ebb, let up, moderate, subside, wane
Antonyms of last

cease, close, conclude, desist, die, discontinue, end, expire, finish, lapse, leave off, pass, quit, stop, terminate, wind up

Synonym Discussion of last

continue, last, endure, abide, persist mean to exist over a period of time or indefinitely. continue applies to a process going on without ending.
    • the search for peace will continue
last, especially when unqualified, may stress existing beyond what is normal or expected.
    • buy shoes that will last
endure adds an implication of resisting destructive forces or agencies.
    • in spite of everything, her faith endured
abide implies stable and constant existing especially as opposed to mutability.
    • a love that abides through 40 years of marriage
persist suggests outlasting the normal or appointed time and often connotes obstinacy or doggedness.
    • the sense of guilt persisted

Learn More about last

  1. See words that rhyme with last Dictionary: Definition of last Spanish Central: Translation of last Nglish: Translation of last for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of last for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up last? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games