past 1 of 3

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

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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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
In full, while speaking on the Crash Dummies podcast, T-Pain shared his thoughts on Drake’s status in the music industry, echoing the Toronto native’s past. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 27 June 2025 Its images, once developed, show the future or past of the site Cleo meant to photograph. Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 27 June 2025
Adjective
Yet given evidence of Iran’s past interest in possessing a nuclear bomb prior to 2003, the U.S. could not take this claim at face value. Josh Black, Time, 28 June 2025 Yuki Matsui has surrendered three home runs in his past two outings. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 June 2025
Preposition
However, Julio César Chávez Jr. is well past his prime and has battled drug addiction, spending an extended stint away from the ring. Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025 Get past their respective hurdles of Serie A side Inter and domestic rivals Palmeiras, and each will bank a further $13.1m, as will anyone else who makes the quarter-finals. Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for past
Recent Examples of Synonyms for past
Noun
  • The challenges: Tight spaces and dense history Moving a building of this size is tough enough, but the challenge is multiplied by Zhangyuan's dense web of narrow alleys and closely packed historic buildings.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
  • With his company, River Reader Kayaking, Hensel takes visitors on history, sunset, and nature tours along the Waccamaw River and through the Murrells Inlet marsh.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • However, a lawsuit against the university by three former women's swimmers over their experience in sharing a team with Thomas is still active.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2025
  • Expect early brand decisions In 2021, former CEO Tavares gave the 14 brands, 10 years to justify their existence.
    Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Preposition
  • Instead of the blonde she’s graced our screens with over the past 15 years, Madix wore a rich espresso brown wig with an all-red dominatrix-esque ensemble.
    Devon Abelman, Allure, 23 June 2025
  • According to legal filings that emerged over the course of the couple’s long divorce proceedings, Pitt allegedly assaulted Jolie and two of their children on the flight.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2025
Preposition
  • The sense of relief for Wales after qualifying, at last, for their first major women’s tournament is palpable and powerful.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 June 2025
  • Creative liberties Harry went to the doctor after experiencing two symptoms (played for cringey laughs from viewers).
    Angela Haupt, Time, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • The older elephants surround it, allowing the youngster to relax and play in the water while being protected from crocodiles lurking nearby.
    Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • In one scene, Agnes is wearing a pair of chunky combat boots, and old, worn pages of her thesis are taped to her window.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 29 June 2025
Preposition
  • This year, Mississippi’s Hoover Sauce celebrates 50 years of making mouths in the Magnolia State—and beyond—happy.
    Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 23 June 2025
  • Olean was in pain but should be credited for moving beyond that pain.
    Sally Ventura June 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Quintero’s face sits atop organizational charts drawn up by task forces of federal agents, sheriff’s deputies and local police who have long suspected — but could never prove — that he was engaged in extortion, gambling and other crimes, according to law enforcement documents reviewed by The Times.
    Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
  • Sometimes, however, the criticism comes not from the party that lost, but from other justices.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • Trump’s reelection dashed the view that his first presidency was a mere aberration, and his second administration’s early, seismic actions on global trade, skepticism toward allies, and affection for erstwhile adversaries have already changed the United States’ role and image in the world.
    REBECCA LISSNER, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
  • As an early example of this, Stephen Griffin, a constitutional law professor at Tulane Law School, points to the Quasi War, a limited naval conflict between the fledgling U.S. and its erstwhile Revolutionary War ally, France.
    Scott Neuman, NPR, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Past.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/past. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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