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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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

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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Max begins to wonder whether he has been sent back to change his past or to say goodbye to it. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 13 Nov. 2026 Later in the season, a cast member’s past on OnlyFans is revealed by another, setting in motion the season’s first emotional walk-off. — Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026
Adjective
Each of these dishes, an evolving memory album of sorts, is a way of connecting us to our past traditions while making room for new traditions. — Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026 Playboy, the company best known for barmaid bunnies and see-all centerfolds, is going back to a past life in South Florida. — Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026
Preposition
Kaprizov zipped a cross-ice pass through the slot that Shabanov redirected past Askarov at the far post. — CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026 Your right hand moves and the scenery begins flying past considerably faster. — Kevin Fanady, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 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
  • In the Division 3 final, Corona del Mar outlasted Newbury Park 24-26, 25-20, 25-15, 22-25, 15-13 to capture its first section title in 22 years and the eighth in program history.
    — Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
  • California has a rich and varied history — and San Jose is the oldest civilian community in the state.
    — John Ramos, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of history
Adjective
  • In 2011, former members complained to the archdiocese in Peru's capital, Lima, about abuses by its founder, Luis Figari.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Nov. 2026
  • In the West Bund, a former industrial waterfront turned arts district, where more museums are joining its riverside row, the annual West Bund Art and Design fair will draw galleries from across Asia and beyond in the same weeks.
    — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of former
Preposition
  • The United States and Russia still command the world’s two dominant nuclear arsenals, with over 5,000 warheads each.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2026
  • For their prototype, the researchers built an approximately 100-inch display consisting of a transparent LED film mounted over an aluminum panel, with 80 voice coil motors (VCMs) installed behind it.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Nov. 2026
Definition of over
Preposition
  • Glossip, who had been on the brink of execution three times, was released on bond in May after spending nearly 30 years in prison.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Infielder Bryce Rainer is working his way up the Detroit Tigers organization after being a first-round pick in 2024.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of after
Adjective
  • There have been lows—trying to manufacture a viral dance in an empty pub alongside a dwarf Michael Jackson impersonator among them—but Skepta is old enough to own those now, and grow from them.
    — Will Pritchard, Pitchfork, 9 Nov. 2026
  • California has a rich and varied history — and San Jose is the oldest civilian community in the state.
    — John Ramos, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of old
Preposition
  • Wichita State led 45-43 at halftime after hitting seven of its first 12 attempts from beyond the arc.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Yet when asked to move beyond answering questions to framing their own, many struggled.
    — Washington Post, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of beyond
Adjective
  • The University of Washington chapter of Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return, or SUPER UW, spearheaded a May 2024 encampment at the Seattle campus with other groups, according to reports and SUPER UW’s statements.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 9 Nov. 2026
  • They were photographed together both at a bar with other suppliers and then also out to dinner with some other executives.
    — Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of other
Adjective
  • As the city marks its 300th year in 2027, the City Palace—the current residence of the erstwhile royals—readies for the occasion with new exhibits across its galleries, as well as its private spaces not usually accessible to the public.
    — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026
  • And so the erstwhile movie star effectively lives a movie for a change, instead of making one.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 6 Nov. 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 14 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on past

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about past

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