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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

past

3 of 3

preposition

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
About six minutes later, Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola put a second past England goalkeeper Dean Henderson. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2026 The vibrant magic of Zhalfir’s past comes to play as its people find their place in the Multiverse, featuring master of chronomancy Teferi Akosa in a return for a new generation of players. — Mya Copeland, Variety, 17 July 2026
Adjective
When reached for comment about the Vances’ plans for parental leave, the VP’s office referred PEOPLE to JD’s past comments to NBC. — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026 Pentagon press briefings were held regularly during past US conflicts, and military leaders often expressed respect (even if begrudgingly) for the media’s role and responsibility to inform service members, their families and the rest of the country. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Preposition
According to Baek Bu-geun, the next phase of development moves past the initial concept framework. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 2026 The France star moved past Argentina's Lionel Messi for the career World Cup scoring record with 22 goals, scoring twice in a 6-4 loss to England in Saturday's third-place match. — ABC News, 18 July 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
  • Shinto was formally separated from the state after World War II, but its traditions still reflect a broader history of religious and cultural influences.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • The Jules Rimet Trophy — named after the former FIFA president following his death in 1956 — had an astonishing history.
    — Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of history
Adjective
  • Henderson, who was identified by witnesses as a former employee of the restaurant, is accused of serving as Child’s getaway driver, using a maroon pickup that was recently reported stolen in Canyon County, police said.
    — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 17 July 2026
  • Another Republican gubernatorial candidate, former House Speaker Paul Renner, vowed to call a special session to halt approval of hyperscale data centers.
    — Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
Definition of former
Preposition
  • In addition, the Global Connectivity Index ranks the country’s digital infrastructure as the second-best in Africa and over 46 percent of Moroccan electricity comes from renewables.
    — Panorama Media Ltd, Miami Herald, 19 July 2026
  • But if the Cubs hadn’t won that epic Game 7 in Cleveland and 1908 still hung over the franchise?
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of over
Preposition
  • Life-threatening flash flooding has hit southern Texas after days of torrential rain, leaving at least two people dead and hundreds of people rescued across the same region struck by last July’s catastrophic floods.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • One of the corrective actions involves modifying the engine startup sequence on the Super Heavy booster during its flip maneuver after separating from the Starship upper stage a few minutes after liftoff.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026
Definition of after
Adjective
  • The 19-year-old also said that France should fear Spain due to Spain’s recent success against Les Bleus.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • The 29-year-old signed with San Francisco in free agency on a one-year, $12-million contract.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of old
Preposition
  • In recent days, the US has expanded its targets beyond Iranian coastal sites housing radar and drone facilities to include roads, tunnels, railways, port infrastructure and, according to Iranian media, a desalination plant.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • Between absurd resale prices and the logistical circus of match day, plenty of fans will be watching from places beyond the stadium.
    — Ali Farooqui, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026
Definition of beyond
Adjective
  • The latest in Houston Salgado Araujo, 52, was driving to work with three other construction crew members when unmarked vehicles carrying federal agents began following his van, his family said.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • To celebrate 25 years of her career in the music industry, and debut album The Spirit Room, the singer-songwriter has announced Everywhere and Back Again, an EP of some of her biggest hits that have been reimagined by other artists.
    — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026
Definition of other
Adjective
  • The erstwhile New York resident was loudly and vigorously booed by the hometown crowd as he was shown on the jumbotron of the legendary arena.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 8 June 2026
  • Despite his meltdown in Colorado’s extra-inning loss to Milwaukee Friday night, the erstwhile starter has been one of baseball’s best relievers this season.
    — Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
Definition of erstwhile

Phrases Containing past

Browse Nearby Words

passwords
past
paste
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Past.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/past. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on past

Nglish: Translation of past for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about past

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 stalwart

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

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
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All