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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
Worthy’s role was elevated last year because of an injury to wide receiver Rashee Rice. Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025 But Stander and other preservationists are pursuing other avenues and got a boost last month. Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
This retired firefighter and bomb tech rose from the flames stronger, sassier, and ready to find a spark that lasts. Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025 The 2011 revival lasted 22 episodes. Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for last
Recent Examples of Synonyms for last
Adjective
  • The company expects to mail more letters letting drivers know when the final fix is available, likely in April 2026.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Riding a three-game sweep into the second leg of a three-city trip, the Chicago Cubs positioned themselves to put pressure on the Milwaukee Brewers heading into the final four weeks of the regular season.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The coincidence is intriguing, however, not conclusive.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2025
  • Without a conclusive explanation, solutions are hard to come by.
    Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • With VMware serving approximately 200,000 customers globally, Nutanix sees most of the migration opportunity still ahead.
    Steve McDowell, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
  • Around 25 million lightning strikes occur in the United States every year, with most taking place during the summer months.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Despite staff layoffs affecting about 300 employees, industry analysts say Condé Nast still faces high pressure to continue restructuring and invest in digital innovation to survive long term headwinds.
    Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Leeds are tipped to survive the drop after adding Premier League experience and European talent to their ranks.
    Jack Bantock, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • To be sure, analysts said the precise impact of potential furniture tariffs remains unclear since many details of the policy have yet to be determined, including the tariff rate.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2025
  • Dozens of Republicans who served as alternate electors, along with senior figures such as former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, Rudy Giuliani, and attorney John Eastman, remain under indictment in Georgia and in other state-level cases tied to the 2020 election.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 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
  • Each episode will offer unprecedented access into the step-by-step process of solving a murder case, from the first clue to the decisive moment that changes everything.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Your Team The human element of AI deployment is frequently underestimated yet often proves decisive in achieving sustainable success.
    Dimitar Dimitrov, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In the 2026 midterm election cycle, each House seat is worth fighting for to the maximum extent since majorities are built on the smallest of legislative margins.
    David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
  • At maximum capabilities, Paluel is the second largest nuclear power station in France and the seventh largest in the world by power output.
    Theo Burman Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Last.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/last. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.

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