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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

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
If one looks at government yields since the end of last year, a different picture emerges. Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025 Peso Pluma returned after an abrupt cancellation last year due to weather conditions, and Shakira delivered a two-hour set that concluded with a fireworks over the city’s skyline. Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2025
Verb
Companies that make the effort have a better chance of building resilient trust that lasts. Valentina Drofa, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025 Being pepper-sprayed can also lead to lasting psychological trauma. Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for last
Recent Examples of Synonyms for last
Adjective
  • In the final episode of The Survivors, Sean tries to kill Kieran inside the caves after telling his friends all of his secrets.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Wait for 30 minutes after the final lightning or thunder before heading outside again.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2025
Adjective
  • While another research review published this year in Nutrients says the research for athletic benefits in women isn’t yet conclusive, there are also reasons to suspect women may benefit from creatine at least as much as men, if not more, both inside and outside the gym, Dr. Smith-Ryan says.
    Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 28 May 2025
  • Though home blood pressure monitors are effective, a healthcare provider can provide more accurate and conclusive results.
    Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • That bargaining unit represents state engineers, most of whom work for Caltrans.
    William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 8 June 2025
  • More variety has likely helped, with new entrants like Athletic Brewing Co., which launched in 2018, and nonalcoholic alternatives to most of the top beer brands, including Heineken 0.0 and Corona Non-alcoholic.
    Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • Her child survived and, for a short while, reigned as king.
    Erica Stern June 9, Literary Hub, 9 June 2025
  • The uphill battle against the powerful gun lobby survived an appeals court challenge, but last week the U.S. Supreme Court threw out Mexico’s lawsuit, ruling unanimously that federal law shields gunmakers from nearly all liability.
    Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • Pachuca and Monterrey will remain as Mexico’s lone Club World Cup entrants.
    Avi Creditor, New York Times, 1 June 2025
  • The incident remains under investigated by Meriden Police detectives and anyone with information should contact Det.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2025
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
  • In the decisive third set, Sabalenka double-faulted to give Gauff a break for 2-1. Gauff led 3-1 and had break points for 4-1 but Sabalenka held and then broke for 3-all.
    Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • In the seventh, San Francisco landed its decisive blow.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • Set boundaries that range from strict legal compliance that can’t be ignored or changed to issues where common sense prevails.
    Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
  • Cooler heads prevailed on Friday, with Musk and Trump refraining from slinging direct insults at each other.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Last.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/last. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.

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