past 1 of 3

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

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
White has a controversial past, including failure to pay child support, a charge White denies, and making a number of derogatory social media comments. Wcco Staff, CBS News, 26 June 2026 Sampling the air using sediments from the seabed The Toarcian warming event is one of a dozen or so periods of climate change in the geological past that were triggered by enormous volcanic phenomena known as large igneous provinces. Howard Lee, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2026
Adjective
Dong had been locked up in China several times, including for his activities commemorating the 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square and past efforts to flee. ABC News, 29 June 2026 Hiring teams may not see the connection between past experience and current needs. Adam Broda, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Preposition
But it was ruled offside due to his foot being just past the second-to-last Portuguese defender, preserving the scoreless tie. Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2026 The ball slipped past goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who at first seemed to have no trouble blocking the shot, but the ball found the back of the net, making all the difference on Friday night in Guadalajara in front of 45,065 fans — most of whom were rooting for Spain. Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for past
Recent Examples of Synonyms for past
Noun
  • The Atlas Lions made history last time around in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as the first African team to reach the semifinals.
    Amna Subhan, AJC.com, 24 June 2026
  • The Secret Service has said this year’s fireworks display will be more heavily guarded than any in recent history.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • Illapa Sairitupac, Democratic New York State assembly candidate, from left, Zohran Mamdani, mayor of New York, and Brad Lander, former New York City comptroller and US Democratic House candidate for New York, campaign during a primary election in New York, US, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
    Dan Mangan, CNBC, 24 June 2026
  • Cendejas is a partner at the Strategy Group and has worked with several notable winning political campaigns, including San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and Wahab’s first run for Senate against former Fremont Mayor Lily Mei in 2022.
    Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 24 June 2026
Preposition
  • In his absence, Mary, who has grown into herself tremendously over the course of the season, continues to build a life for herself in London.
    Arushi Jacob, Variety, 25 June 2026
  • Burruss wrote over the beginning of the clip.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026
Preposition
  • Britain remembers well the fiasco of 2022, when then-Prime Minister Liz Truss triggered a mass sell-off of bonds after presenting plans for huge unfunded tax cuts.
    Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
  • Speaking with Seacoast Online, part of the USA TODAY Network, three years after his diagnosis, Hall said the symptoms of the disease can come and go.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • On Tuesday night, the New York Post reported that the woman had been identified as Angie Baez, a 40-year-old financial industry executive.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2026
  • As for 29-year-old Greenway notched six points in 40 games with the Sabres last season and scored three points in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games with Buffalo during the 2025-26 campaign.
    Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 24 June 2026
Preposition
  • Costa is called into action again as James Rodríguez fires low from beyond the 18-yard box, but the Portugal keeper dives low to his right to keep his goal unbeaten.
    NBC News, NBC news, 28 June 2026
  • The samples have helped extend records of past weather events centuries beyond modern satellite imagery, scientists say.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • Barnacles, mussels, clams, algae and other warm-seawater-dwelling fauna and flora have latched onto oil tankers hundreds of massive oil tankers anchored in the Persian Gulf over the past several months.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
  • This handheld vacuum has a lightweight design and strong suction to clean debris in hard-to-reach areas behind the couch, in the car, and other hard-to-reach areas.
    Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026
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

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Cite this Entry

“Past.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/past. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

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