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.

Related Words

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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 Their most recent appearance at the tournament before this one was in 1998, when Odegaard and Haaland were not even born. — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026 Last year, Maryland faced the deadliest heat season in over a decade with a total of 36 fatalities by the end of the heat season, according to the most recent data. — Danielle J. Brown, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2026 More recent features include Miral (2010), starring Freida Pinto, and the Vincent van Gogh biopic At Eternity’s Gate (2018), with Willem Dafoe, who received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2026 Letterboxd, founded in 2011, has been shopping itself to interested parties in recent months. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 10 July 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

The union says it’s already made concessions at the bargaining table but with little offered in return to improve current conditions and wages.

— Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago’s past.

— Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Definition of current

Adjective

Buckhead Heritage, a historic preservation organization, will make a historic building its new headquarters after reaching an agreement with Atlanta Public Schools.

— Carson Bonner, AJC.com, 7 July 2026
The airlines haven’t yet announced what their new, combined frequent flyer program will look like, however.

— Zach Wichter, USA Today, 7 July 2026

Definition of new

Adjective

Dubbed Camp Meeker Cabin, the project strips mountain living back to its quieter essentials, while still embracing contemporary environmental design.

— Bridget Borgobello July 03, New Atlas, 4 July 2026
The architecture is intentionally clean and contemporary, understated but elegant.

— David Caraccio Updated July 4, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of contemporary

Adjective

The European side then notched up a third goal from Hans Vanaken just before the hour mark, before Romelu Lukaku wrapped up the victory with a late strike in injury time.

— Lee Ying Shan,Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 7 July 2026
Photographer Phil Oh captures the drama and frivolity in Paris as designers present their latest couture collections.

— Phil Oh, Vogue, 7 July 2026

Definition of late

Adjective

In a statement, an AT&T spokesperson said modern alternatives to copper hold up better during disasters and said landline service wouldn’t be discontinued until at least June 1, 2027.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
The asymmetrical silhouette is also fresh and modern, and Quince's supple Italian nappa leather looks far more expensive than its price.

— Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026

Definition of modern

Adjective

In the Green New Deal discussion, though, this hypothetical meat ban effectively functioned as metaphorical shortcut for progressive political overreach.

— David Rooney, The Conversation, 10 July 2026
By the early 1990s, Eugene had earned itself a reputation as a beacon of progressive-minded irreverence, drawing a pungent mix of weirdos, iconoclasts, and freethinkers.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026

Definition of progressive

Browse Nearby Words

receiving

recent

recently

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“Recent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recent. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of recent

adjective

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