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
All of that lying, manipulation, and judgment leads to the series finale, in which Laura has secretly recorded Cherry’s mother describing her violent past and aims to share the audio with Daniel, until Cherry shows up at their family home. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025 With its traditional downtown, which still has a good feel of its past. Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
In her prepared testimony, Monarez offers new details about her brief tenure as CDC director, including saying Kennedy issued a directive that CDC policy and personnel decisions required prior approval from political staff — a break from the practice of past administrations. Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025 National parks have mostly closed during past shutdowns. Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Preposition
McMillan, who isn’t known for his breakaway speed, zoomed past defenders for a 40-yard gain, setting up the Panthers for their first points of the afternoon. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2025 Let’s go with the Mariners, since Seattle has sailed past Houston in the standings. Zack Meisel, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for past
Recent Examples of Synonyms for past
Noun
  • The barebones campaign website of Brad Gaines touts his history as a football player in high school and at Vanderbilt University.
    David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Doctors struggle to access complete patient histories, researchers spend months cleaning inconsistent datasets, and hospitals face spiraling costs just to keep outdated systems running.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The expiring boost, implemented in Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act under former President Joe Biden, applies to 22 million of the 24 million low- and middle-income Americans with plans through the ACA marketplace.
    Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Frantzve was also a former beauty queen, having been crowned Miss Arizona USA in 2012.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Preposition
  • The award of this contract continues the recent strong momentum Serco has seen in defence, with the sector comprising over 80% of our order intake in the first half of 2025.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025
  • One of the main challenges facing the economy is the strained relationship between Beijing and Washington as disputes over technology and geopolitics mount.
    Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2025
Preposition
  • Notable Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase revealed that she was fined by the league after her comments regarding Game 1’s officiating.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2025
  • With the lead gone after that, the bats grew even quieter.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Smith replied that private schools must submit renewal packets every year before they are approved to continue participation in the accounts program, and that the agency compares the new tuition rates against the older rates.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The reversal marks just one example of how Trump is rewriting Republicans’ decades-old playbook on countering Beijing’s influence in the United States and abroad.
    Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Preposition
  • Nir Kshetri does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
    Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The ripple effects extend far beyond individual users.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In order to embolden and support his organization, bin Laden often videotaped himself with messages aimed at his target audience, established training centers in Afghanistan, had an expansive funding network that included wealthy individuals, couriers, mosques and other complex ways to raise funds.
    Richard Frankel, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Advertisement Kirk’s path to national prominence was unlike that of other MAGA icons.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • While Russia obsesses over Ukraine, its erstwhile friends and clients are quietly slipping away.
    Jeremy Shapiro, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The decisions ultimately have dire consequences for both the erstwhile pals and everyone else living on Inisherin.
    Hannah Kerns, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Past.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/past. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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