past 1 of 3

noun

Definition of pastnext
as in history
the events or experience of former times we spent a pleasant evening recalling the past together

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past

2 of 3

adjective

ˈpast How to pronounce past (audio)
as in former
having been such at some previous time a past editor of the newspaper

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past

3 of 3

preposition

1
as in over
on or to the farther side of I drive past the school every day

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2
as in after
subsequent to in time or order it's ten minutes past six o'clock

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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 past
Noun
Thompson’s answer focused on his past and current co-sponsorship of a Medicare for All bill. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026 From this format emerges the tacit thesis that the Bicentennial cultural activities excelled at provoking critical, imaginative reflections on America’s past and future from artmakers and from ordinary citizens alike. — Anna Kornbluh, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Adjective
As with past Carrie adaptations, the Prime series sets the story in the present day, which allows the writers to lean into contemporary social commentary. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026 Some of Phini’s past projects include separating a wedding dress into a top and skirt, turning a pair of jeans into a bag, and dyeing or altering family heirlooms. — Bella Webb, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026
Preposition
This warning may be extended past Sunday, or converted to a Coastal Flood Advisory through Tuesday. — Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Five years after the Taliban swept back into power, the ban on girls’ education past sixth grade remains perhaps the movement’s most visible act of repression. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for past
Recent Examples of Synonyms for past
  1. history
  2. former
  3. over
  4. after
  5. old
  6. beyond
  7. other
  8. erstwhile
Noun
  • Frémaux also turned the opening ceremony into his customary crash course in Lyon cinema history.
    — Lise Pedersen, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Leaning into its history, Kessler has outfitted the hotel with installations that channel the Jurassic period, including life size dinosaur skeletons and fossils, backlit in a range of bright colors, displayed throughout the walls.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of history
Adjective
  • The company is run by CEO Huh Kyubum, a former venture capitalist with Union Investment Partners who focused on investing in Korean content.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Britain’s financial regulator has banned a former HSBC banker from the industry over a train-fare fraud that cost a railway operator £5,911, or about $7,800.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of former
Preposition
  • Aaron Donald hasn’t played in two games this season, including last Sunday’s victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, but could the future Hall of Fame defensive lineman be ready for a breakout?
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Four-day yoga retreats on the riverbank, nature walks, and helicopter flights over Victoria Falls are just some of the activities on offer.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of over
Preposition
  • Fan largely disappeared from Chinese screens after a 2018 tax evasion case.
    — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The next shift is to build continuity around the product itself, and its ownership… For brands, a product no longer disappears after the first sale.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of after
Adjective
  • Waves battered a century-old wooden boardwalk on the Long Beach peninsula and forced homeowners to evacuate.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Related Stories Gadis, 20, has just been brought home as the fourth wife of 50-year-old Abi.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of old
Preposition
  • Deep Com Roots, the international sales arm of Spain’s ISII Group, is seeing that demand translate into sales beyond Spain.
    — Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Find one that properly supports your investing goals Looking to invest beyond your 401(k)?
    — Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of beyond
Adjective
  • Stitt points out a photograph of Olney in a hallway near the bathroom, while recalling sharing wine with Lulu Peyraud, the beloved matriarch of the Domaine Tempier wine estate in Provence, among a collage of other French memories.
    — Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Sunday's attack occurred as the Saudis hosted a major international energy conference in Riyadh, with other high-profile events including an investment gathering on the horizon.
    — SAMY MAGDY, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of other
Adjective
  • These yachties aren’t as calloused as the erstwhile SURvers, so for the most part, the tour goes well.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The Project’s ranks now include about 80 fishermen manning 15 boats who also support the tagging and research of their erstwhile prey (their work has led to the recent world-first tagging of 10 tiger sharks in Indonesian waters).
    — Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of erstwhile

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Cite this Entry

“Past.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/past. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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