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
This full moon could also give you the strength to heal your past, let go and move on. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026 Mihail is sent there, 30 years after leaving his home country, to assess the value of the girl’s work and confront the ghosts of his past. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026
Adjective
Contact centers had spent decades organizing high volumes of work into queues, tracking outcomes, and building a body of past interactions. — David Pralong, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026 But alas, eventually all involved have to get down to business and actually contend with the plot beats of Hoover’s story, which is when the movie careens off a cliff, plummeting past so-bad-it’s-good and crashing on the rocks of agonizingly dumb. — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026
Preposition
Matix Frithsmith rushed for 211 yards and four touchdowns, including a 91-yard fourth-quarter score, as Hart rallied past Saugus, 34-17, in a Foothill League showdown. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026 The Panthers rolled past the Atlanta Falcons 34-3, powered by a dominant defensive performance. — Neil Nakahodo, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 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
  • Scotto’s able to watch customers enjoy dishes rooted in his family’s history—including Grandma’s Potato Croquettes—while employees make money and a brand his family owns continues to grow.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Gray has a long history with the festival, having closed it with The Lost City of Z and marked its anniversary with a special screening of Armageddon Time.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of history
Adjective
  • Auriemma also checked in on another of his former players, Tiffany Hayes, 37, who is playing a big role for Golden State.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Unless, of course, there’s another former RHOC Housewife waiting in the wings to rescue her.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of former
Preposition
  • The area is just over ¼ away from the police department, according to Google Maps.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Schlosser definitely got the job done Friday night, rushing for 111 yards and scoring a touchdown to rally Oak Lawn to a 21-14 South Suburban Red victory in overtime over host Evergreen Park.
    — Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of over
Preposition
  • Basu Trivedi reconnected with Tian after GPTZero’s launch, and Footwork went on to lead GPTZero’s $10 million Series A in June 2024.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Carmella is also still mad at Vicki for saying that Danny is raising her kids, and Heather is angry after learning that Vicki called her fake in Palm Springs.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of after
Adjective
  • The 30-year-old actress, who was named the Chinese brand ambassador for Kors last March, made her acting debut at 10 and has played numerous roles in historical, fantasy and romantic dramas.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The backstory Wynn Las Vegas opened in 2005 on the site of the old Desert Inn, with Encore following in 2008; the big move was pulling spectacle inside instead of giving it away free at the curb.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of old
Preposition
  • Last year, a National School Choice Awareness Foundation survey found that 60 percent of parents have considered switching schools for their children, with many exploring models beyond traditional brick-and-mortar schools.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Iran has said the bombers flying from the base have been used for strikes beyond the original remit and indicated that a base used to attack its territory is a legitimate target.
    — Pan Pylas, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of beyond
Adjective
  • And Starship will have other hurdles to clear as well, even if today's flight goes perfectly.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The film is up for Video of the Year, as well as a swath of other categories including Best Direction, Cinematography, and Choreography.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of other
Adjective
  • These yachties aren’t as calloused as the erstwhile SURvers, so for the most part, the tour goes well.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The Project’s ranks now include about 80 fishermen manning 15 boats who also support the tagging and research of their erstwhile prey (their work has led to the recent world-first tagging of 10 tiger sharks in Indonesian waters).
    — Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 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 3 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about past

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