RECENT Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

recent

adjective

Definition of recent

as in latest

happening or beginning not long ago Recent events have brought attention to the problem. I usually watch that show every week, but I missed the most recent episode. Medical science has made amazing progress in recent decades.

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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 recent The hurricane set residents along Mexico’s Pacific coast on edge once again after being walloped by a number of powerful cyclones in recent years. — Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026 Jones is, as she’s proven throughout her career, immensely adept at capturing a multitude of personae with quick shifts of posture, timbre, and accent, though in this case, a sameness comes with recounting so much recent political conversation. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026 Authentic Detroit pies, with a twist The most recent newcomer to the scene aspires to be the most authentic. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 23 Sep. 2026 Lee County-Thomas County Central is the most likely Class 6A state championship matchup, according to the most recent Maxwell Projections. — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recent

Adjective

The video is the latest in a lengthy stream of controversies the probation department has faced in recent years.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2023
The American Western drama is the latest of Taylor Sheridan's ever-growing Yellowstone franchise surrounding the legacy of the Dutton family from west of the Mississippi.

— Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 14 Feb. 2023

Definition of latest

Adjective

Before automatically reaching for the next achievement, notice how the current direction actually feels.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
By changing the current sent to the motor, the researchers can set its jump height with single-centimeter accuracy.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of current

Adjective

Presenter Zane Lowe has conducted loads of candid interviews with new and established musicians, and the company's Los Angeles studio has captured dozens of memorable performances for posterity.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Sep. 2026
The episode is also the debut of new cast members Saidah Belo-Osagie and Grace Reiter.

— William Earl, Variety, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of new

Adjective

Rooms The resort's 364 resort-facing guest rooms, including 16 suites, are clean, airy, and contemporary, with white and cream tones and hard-surface floors.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
In a rare occurrence, Bardot’s 80-minute AI drama that, according to the synopsis, examines contemporary alienation and numbness in today’s world of hyper-connectivity, is set for a spring 2027 release across 20 cities in Turkey via Baska Sinema.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of contemporary

Adjective

The backstory For most of my life, the Old Dutch Inn has been just a faint memory of kicking my legs from a bar stool, drinking a Shirley Temple next to my late grandmother, who would likely have been nursing a gin and tonic.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
According to reports in September 2025, CATL’s European general manager Matt Shen informed that the company had been aiming to start production in late 2025 or early 2026.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of late

Adjective

The wall is also fragile and cannot be completely preserved, so archaeologists will use modern technology to create a 3D reconstruction for further study.

— Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026
School officials say the roughly 150,000-square-foot facility significantly expands ECC’s capacity to prepare students for careers in advanced manufacturing and other high-demand technical fields, with modern classrooms and labs.

— Rick West, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of modern

Adjective

Instead of calling for calm and letting the justice system work, too many political leaders on the left and progressive social influencers either fanned the flames of unrest or failed to act until enormous damage was done.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
Attempt techniques like progressive muscle relaxation and body scans, box breathing, or even picturing your thoughts as clouds that are drifting away.

— Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of progressive

Browse Nearby Words

receiving

recent

recently

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Style

“Recent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recent. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of recent

adjective

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