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
Unlike most of his peers, the lead singer of the world’s greatest rock and roll band has never been one for looking back, even at the recent past. — Jem Aswad, Variety, 1 Aug. 2026 Here’s a story from my past to drive home why this is important. — Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Gunn smartly turns the spotlight on Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper), delivering a poignant and emotional storyline about grief and reckoning with past traumas. — Ew Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026 The Brewers won for the fifth time in their past seven games and moved past the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in the major leagues at 69-41. — ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
Preposition
There’s no need to rush past this chapter, these feelings, or this moment. — Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2026 Lynch, speaking from his own experience as a former NFL safety, noted that most PCL issues don’t require surgical repair, also citing quarterback Mac Jones’ ability to push past a PCL tear last season. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 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
  • Evander is also the fifth-fastest player to reach 100 regular-season goal contributions in MLS history — doing so in just 104 games.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • His home county Drago has a history of resistance that’s been met with police crackdowns and enhanced surveillance, researchers say – particularlyafter the county emerged as a hub of protest in the 2008 Tibetan demonstrations.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of history
Adjective
  • Describing themselves as a professional neighborhood watch group, former gang members and addicts are helping Venice residents clear encampments from their doorsteps.
    — Laurie Perez, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • In the final moments of the movie, Holland’s Peter Parker runs into his former best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon) at a cafe.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 July 2026
Definition of former
Preposition
  • Spread Frosting evenly over Cake, and garnish with additional pecans.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Charles Duhigg is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and the author of The Power of Habit, which spent over three years on bestseller lists and has been translated into 40 languages, and Smarter Faster Better, also a bestseller.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of over
Preposition
  • The organization, which is responsible for cleaning up the messes after superhero battles, has something that Jean wants locked inside a vault.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 July 2026
  • The announcement comes just days after rival OpenAI first revealed that its models improperly accessed the internet and went rogue during security testing.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of after
Adjective
  • The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Jeanine John Taele, was spotted by plainclothes federal agents who observed odd behavior and subsequently contacted the Lomita Sheriff Department deputies.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Aug. 2026
  • In honor of the upcoming movie, the All Roads Lead to Camp bus is touring across the country and bringing fans, new and old, into the world of Camp Rock, PEOPLE previously revealed exclusively.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of old
Preposition
  • The emergence of additional Chinese prototypes suggests that competition between the world’s two largest military powers is extending beyond current fifth-generation aircraft into the race for future air dominance.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
  • For Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the operator of the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty program, the challenge is to expand beyond hotels without becoming another sprawling marketplace filled with loosely connected offers.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of beyond
Adjective
  • The service Casually buttoned-up and (like many other things at this property) classic New York, with concierge and servers always ready to lend a hand—but without fussing over anything.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Aug. 2026
  • While plenty of chic boots are obviously on her radar, her seasonal collection includes a range of other styles, too, like sneakers, loafers, and flats.
    — Isabel Bekele, InStyle, 5 Aug. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Past.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/past. Accessed 6 Aug. 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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