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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
The whole season was shot last September in Knoxville, Tenn., but news of the reboot and Malarkey’s hiring as host, were kept under wraps until a few weeks ago. Pamela Kragen, Mercury News, 13 May 2025 David Beckham appeared bent out of shape last weekend. Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 13 May 2025
Verb
The trial finally opened in March 2025 and lasted four days. Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 12 May 2025 Sand also shared Jensen’s assessment that a peak shipping season, which typically lasts from August to October, would arrive earlier. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for last
Recent Examples of Synonyms for last
Adjective
  • From there, Jin narrowed down the final count to seven songs, each exploring themes of love and connection.
    Olivia Munson, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • Some argued that the performance did not capture the struggle of wartime reality while others feared that Ukraine, for the first time in the history of Europe’s biggest song contest, might not qualify for the final.
    Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • Perhaps the most conclusive evidence assembled has been the 800 page report and interactive digital platform by experts at Forensic Architecture.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 15 May 2025
  • The filmmakers are never conclusive about Enzo’s burgeoning sexuality nor his plans for the future, and that’s clearly by design.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • The company continues to offer Google One subscription tiers for file storage, but without most AI features, at lower prices.
    Kenrick Cai, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • Like most of Musk’s companies, xAI doesn’t typically respond to reporters’ requests for comment and had remained silent on the matter until its post late Thursday.
    Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Death then seeks vengeance, since none of the students were supposed to survive the crash.
    Keith Langston, People.com, 17 May 2025
  • When the first ambulance to arrive on a scene is staffed with three paramedics, the chance someone will survive is 30% greater, Gollan said.
    Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Through it all, Cher has remained a woman with an incredibly sharp wit, and zero tolerance for BS.
    Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 20 May 2025
  • The Milky Way galaxy will remain visible throughout the summer and even into early fall, but planning your skywatching around the darker moon phases as far from artificial light as possible is key.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • Today's ruling is another clear and decisive victory that will ensure the lives of countless unborn children remain protected and that South Carolina continues to lead the charge in defending the sanctity of life.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
  • Charlotte’s victory in the series-deciding finale improved its record to 3-4 all time in its modern history (since 1994) and was the second in three season; Charlotte won the decisive third game of a best-of-three series in 2023 over Lehigh Valley.
    Richard Walker, Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Fear prevailed for over a month as police failed to find a suspect or a motive.
    Jorge L. Ortiz, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • When playing with friends or business associates, which is mostly the way the president plays the game, all sorts of favor-trading can prevail.
    Matthew Purdy, New York Times, 17 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Last.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/last. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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