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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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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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
The thread of citizen rights and responsibilities weaves through each of these, uniting evolving conceptions of freedom, self-government, and individual achievement from the nation’s past through to its present. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 4 July 2026 Ahead of Independence Day, the two figureheads of America’s political parties offered competing visions for the nation’s future, each before symbols of the country’s past. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2026
Adjective
Wedding photos obtained by The Daily Mail show rows of seats covered with a cream fabric as guests filed in past elaborate greenery to watch Taylor and Travis get married. — Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 6 July 2026 In past years, only Colombian producers participated in the training and networking sessions. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 6 July 2026
Preposition
The initiative was launched under President Joe Biden’s administration in 2022 and was supposed to run past this year. — Lizzie Kane july 11, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026 An earthquake occurs when an edge is stuck for long enough that the energy that would usually cause the pieces to slide past each other is stored up instead. — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 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
  • Four years later in the World Cup quarterfinal against England, Diego Maradona scored two of the most famous goals in the history of the sport.
    — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 12 July 2026
  • For only the fourth time in the country’s history, England advances to the World Cup semifinals.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 12 July 2026
Definition of history
Adjective
  • Rick Jackson meets with two former foster children including Crystal Williams (left) at the Sloppy Floyd Building in January 2014 before heading to the Capitol for a meeting with lawmakers.
    — Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 10 July 2026
  • O'Connor is among roughly 30 judges, including two former federal judges and a current federal judge, who will participate in the tour.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Definition of former
Preposition
  • And Argentina had been living on the edge recently, surviving a one-goal triumph over World Cup first-timer Cabo Verde and putting together a miraculous comeback in the Round of 16 against Egypt after falling behind 2-0.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
  • But over the past two games, the rotation has done enough to stay afloat, and the rest of the roster hasn’t.
    — Tyler M. Carmona July 11, Miami Herald, 12 July 2026
Definition of over
Preposition
  • Mac still hasn’t quite put everything back together again, even after a rookie season that was eerily close to Nix’s numbers in 2024.
    — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 10 July 2026
  • The work stoppage at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and MGB Home Care sites began Wednesday, when Massachusetts Nurses Association members voted to strike after months of contract negotiations failed.
    — Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 10 July 2026
Definition of after
Adjective
  • Meek, a 10-year-old Black girl, is grappling with her fears of nuclear Armageddon as more prosaic domestic concerns kick into high gear.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • However, that is changing as the US Department of Defense seeks more robust, less vulnerable power systems for military satellites that are less hazardous than the older spacecraft powered by uranium and plutonium.
    — David Szondy July 07, New Atlas, 8 July 2026
Definition of old
Preposition
  • The group’s mission to reunite people with their treasures and, in some cases, to offer a semblance of closure was also multiplied beyond the Facebook effort.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Only one is from a power conference and most of the others have played musical coaches in the hope of finally playing beyond the regular season.
    — Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of beyond
Adjective
  • Despite these complexities, active carriers maintain powerful air wings with F/A-18 Super Hornets and other advanced aircraft.
    — Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • For reasons that remain unclear, he was subsequently approved to be moved in with other detainees.
    — Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
Definition of other
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
Definition of erstwhile

Phrases Containing past

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Cite this Entry

“Past.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/past. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on past

Nglish: Translation of past for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about past

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