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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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
That Thompson and Bernthal do not, in any way, interact like characters who have a long and difficult past together is more a fault of writing than performance. Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026 Freeman, who started both the Victoria Station and California Café restaurant chains and owns the Buena Vista in San Francisco, sought to reconnect to the building’s past. Jeff Burkhart, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
To declare war on immigrants, many of whom are fleeing persecution and violence fomented by past American interventionism, requires a powerful, blinding narrative strong enough to smokescreen the degradation and dehumanization at the core of the messaging. Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026 One moment captured it all – a mother came in with her children asking to see a wall of past commanders. David Wilson, Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Preposition
Solar power generation jumped 34%, pushing it past hydroelectric power, with zero-carbon emitting energy sources now supplying 42% of American power, Rhodium found. Seth Borenstein, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026 Elsewhere, Marty Supreme climbed up to $70 million over the weekend, hoping to ride Timmy Chalamet’s awards trajectory past the $100 million mark. Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for past
Recent Examples of Synonyms for past
Noun
  • Idaho has history of laws targeting trans people Over the past several years, the Idaho Legislature and lawmakers across the country have passed a series of bills targeting transgender youth and adults, several of which are now being litigated.
    Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Trump’s words and actions now have observers reaching for the history books.
    Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Jack McGregor, a former state senator and the original founder of the Pittsburgh Penguins, died at the age of 91 on Tuesday.
    Michael Guise, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Notable alumni Plenty of former Canes players were on the sidelines pregame Thursday.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Preposition
  • Right now, the area along Federal Boulevard between 50th and 52nd avenues includes a large amount of parking lot space, a McDonald's, a strip mall, and over 20 acres of possibilities.
    Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
  • The incident comes as the city continues to reel in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, which sparked nationwide protests and exacerbated tensions in a community already on edge over a surge in federal agents.
    Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 15 Jan. 2026
Preposition
  • The ultimate conclusion won't come though until the NTSB's final report, which usually doesn't come until more than a year after a crash.
    CBS News, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
  • While generative models can easily reshape objects for visual appeal, those changes often cause parts to snap, bend, or collapse after fabrication.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Come late January or early February, Denver could be down its defensive coordinator, a whiz-kid offensive mind, and a slightly older whiz-kid defensive mind.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 Jan. 2026
Preposition
  • That would certainly give her a bond with her older siblings, and give her mother something to worry about beyond her grades.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
  • The rechargeable bulb, which lasts up to 72 hours, allows 12 color options beyond the typical warm white, from nervous system-soothing red (ideal for a bedtime wind down) to mood-boosting blue.
    Esme Benjamin, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Newsom is certainly right that California is a great state and an economic engine unmatched by other states.
    Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
  • To address the problem, water managers many years ago lowered the levels, but the tree islands never recovered, leaving ghosts of islands that lack the elevation to support the majestic hardwoods found in other parts of the Everglades, such as cypress, pond apple and pop ash trees.
    Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The erstwhile quarterback for the Judases should just stay home with Madison Beer, his erstwhile girlfriend, maybe take in a movie.
    Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
  • Inside, a trove of occult objects attests to its erstwhile owner’s conception of the space as a funerary mansion for his soul in the afterlife.
    Javier Montes, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Past.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/past. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.

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