long ago 1 of 2

noun

Definition of long agonext
as in antiquity

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

long-ago

2 of 2

adjective

as in bygone

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 long ago
Noun
King, the urban refugee recalls running carefree in the woods long ago and claims such memories express a universal canine longing. — Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026 Experts believe that because lettuce is perishable, the stuff that was making people sick was eaten or thrown away long ago. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026
Adjective
The Semiquincentennial Commission was conjured into being by Congress back in 2016, during that long-ago summer when the Democratic Party was convening in Philadelphia and the succession of one form of representational liberalism to another seemed pretty well secure. — Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 For those who haven’t heard the story (or who only vaguely recall it from a long-ago history class), Harpers Ferry played a pivotal role in sparking the American Civil War. — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for long ago
Recent Examples of Synonyms for long ago
  1. antiquity
  2. bygone
  3. memoir
  4. defunct
  5. extinct
  6. departed
  7. expired
  8. past
Noun
  • The sense of antiquity is preserved (stone staircases worn smooth by the centuries, wooden shutters in the bedrooms), but there’s no shortage of modern amenities, from the amazing Duxiana beds to bathrooms with rain showers.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The film revolves around a crew of motorcycle thieves who begin stealing priceless antiquities around the world.
    — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of antiquity
Adjective
  • The dark and moody space is covered with photos, posters, and paintings that pay homage to a bygone era.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
  • Such complaints are more than an unfounded nostalgia for a bygone age.
    — Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 23 July 2026
Definition of bygone
Noun
  • In the weeks leading up to the memoir’s publication, additional elements of Arday’s story have been called into question.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026
  • In his memoir, Bourdain often doesn’t go too far into details about his personal life during his Cape Cod years.
    — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of memoir
Adjective
  • The State Ethics Commission on Monday overruled an administrative law judge who found that two Republican groups with ties to the defunct First Liberty Building & Loan did not violate campaign finance laws.
    — David Wickert, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • And a defunct SpaceX rocket is on a collision course with the moon.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of defunct
Adjective
  • Visitors are taken back in time to imagine how this now extinct creature — three times the size of a modern-day great white shark — used to swim right over the National Mall.
    — Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2026
  • The team says the molecular analysis indicates that the strains existed in a now-extinct variola virus lineage that bridges Old World European strains with its later variants.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 July 2026
Definition of extinct
Adjective
  • Judaism approaches these moments with deep sensitivity, offering guidance not to judge or criticize, but to bring dignity, comfort, and peace—to the soul of the departed and to those left behind.
    — Rabbi Moishe Kievman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
Definition of departed
Adjective
  • The eclipses this month (on August 12 and 28) may bring new people into your life, and potentially toss some expired connections out of it.
    — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026
  • Sanabria was found to have an expired visa, according to the incident report.
    — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of expired
Adjective
  • Shortly after the announcement, past videos resurfaced on theater blogs where the actor expressed anti-trans sentiments around pronouns and trans athletes in women’s sports.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Rodriguez told Allure last week that these 2026 updates are not about getting away from past controversies but about new resources available to the brand.
    — James Manso, Allure, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of past

Browse Nearby Words

long
long ago
long-ago
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Long ago.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/long%20ago. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of invidious

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All