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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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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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
Rather than preserving history, Capella reinterprets it—using the city's cultural past as the backdrop for one of Southeast Asia's most imaginative luxury hotels. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026 The ad, which circulated on social media late Monday, shows Acton's long-estranged mother, Donna Arthur, saying that her daughter has lied about her past and her struggles growing up. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Looking to end a drought The Hurricanes have lost their past five matchups with the Tar Heels, with their most recent win in the series coming in 2018 and their most recent road win in the set coming in 2017. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026 Under the change, any borrower who was enrolled as of May 6, 2015, would qualify for a loan discharge and refund of any past payments. — Cory Turner, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
Preposition
However, with the rise of bag charms and nostalgic jewelry, the brand has found staying power past 2020 and continues to expand. — Madison Collins, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026 But the real appeal may lie in the fact that its parking is gated, keeping out the paparazzi, whose cameras can’t see in past the stone fence. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 23 Oct. 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
  • The latest public records trove from the federal government details spooky — yet, unverified — history of UFOs on Catalina?
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Here’s a closer look at where those marks rank in UM history.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of history
Adjective
  • Jean Dorneval, a former Haiti defense minister, said while there is public enthusiasm and support among Haitians for Bukele’s troops, the government needs to provide answers.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
  • This week, a Boston University study was published that analyzed the medical records of more than 2,000 deceased former NFL players.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of former
Preposition
  • Election forecaster Cook Political Report shifted Ohio’s gubernatorial race toward Democratic candidate Amy Acton on Friday after a week of backlash over an ad Republican Vivek Ramaswamy ran featuring her estranged mother.
    — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Playing a real game in Spectrum Center for the first time since trading away LaMelo Ball over the summer, this was Charlotte’s first chance since that controversial deal to show the home fans that the deal was a good one.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of over
Preposition
  • Beehive developed the prototype in just four months after finalizing its requirements with the US Air Force.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Defensive tackle Aaron Donald, 35, played 10 seasons before retiring after the 2023 season.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of after
Adjective
  • An album-length EP by the 20-year-old producer is a dizzying and boundless collage of collages, using free-jazz logic and digital overload to chart new emotional terrain.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Rodrigo Valentim, a 51-year-old businessman and supporter of Bolsonaro, said another Lula government would harm the economy.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of old
Preposition
  • The contract bars balance-billing patients beyond insured rates and limits annual adjustments to South Region medical and transportation inflation markers.
    — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Fifteen of Reid’s and 12 of Allen’s came from beyond the arc.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of beyond
Adjective
  • But Griffin’s focus on the Times story and other fallout has, acquaintances say, continued.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • But many voters turned their backs on the party when Lula and other leaders became embroiled in corruption scandals in the 2010s.
    — Catherine Osborn, NPR, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of other
Adjective
  • The erstwhile king of clay, nine-time champion Rafael Nadal, had been deposed in the quarterfinal, and the man who had dished out that comprehensive defeat, Novak Djokovic, would assume the throne.
    — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Katrina, an erstwhile nemesis from her school days, discomfits her by showing only kindness rather than animosity.
    — Malcolm Forbes, Christian Science Monitor, 26 Oct. 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 30 Oct. 2026.

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