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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
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
Under North Carolina law, a lessee has 10 days to pay any past-due rent after a formal demand for payment, or otherwise forfeit the term of the lease. — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026 The Nebraska Cornhusker has had at least five sacks, five TFLs and 12 QB hits in each of his past three seasons. — Pj Green september 24, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026
Preposition
McBride ran for the seat in 2024 but did not advance past the primary. — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026 Rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin had four hits, Brandon Lowe hit his 32nd homer and the Pittsburgh Pirates surged past the Kansas City Royals 8-5 on Friday night. — ABC News, 19 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
  • His long-ball total is tied for eighth in a season during the ballpark’s history and the most since Moisés Alou had 29 in 2004.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The competition is separate from the Miss America pageant, which traces its history to a 1921 event in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of history
Adjective
  • This time, the TPLF appears to have mobilized widely, bringing together former foes in its stated goal of removing Abiy from power in Addis Ababa, the federal capital.
    — SAMUEL GETACHEW, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Zeughauskeller, set inside a former armory, is another classic spot that serves Swiss staples like rösti.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 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
  • The Otis Fund is named after Bear #480 (Otis), who won four Fat Bear Week titles before his death around 2024.
    — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2026
  • With Roberto Rossellini Awards jury head Carlo Chatrian still on his way to Pingyao – after conducting a masterclass with Bong Joon Ho in Turin – actor Lee Sinje spoke on behalf of the jury.
    — Jenny S. Li, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of after
Adjective
  • Cora, 5, and Dawson, 3, died at the scene, but their youngest, 8-month-old Callan, was still alive when first responders arrived.
    — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Also on the agenda is Russia's more than four-year-old war in Ukraine.
    — Antoni Slodkowski Reuters, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of old
Preposition
  • February 19 – March 20 Something new may be calling you beyond your usual environment.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Trump’s imaginings of castle-like defenses on the Potomac move beyond mere bad taste to a place of genuine weirdness.
    — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of beyond
Adjective
  • In other cases, Virginia prosecutors have previously brought their own expert witnesses to counter an insanity defense at trials or even disputed the claims without their own expert, according to reports and court records.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Even though the analysis adjusted for several potential confounding factors, other unmeasured factors could still contribute to the observed relationship.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of other
Adjective
  • 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
  • Three plays later, Kirk Cousins found Cody White with an 11-yard pass, the second touchdown of the day for the erstwhile practice-squad receiver.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 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 27 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on past

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about past

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