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last

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective last contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of last are final, terminal, and ultimate. While all these words mean "following all others (as in time, order, or importance)," last applies to something that comes at the end of a series but does not always imply that the series is completed or stopped.

last page of a book
last news we had of him

When is it sensible to use final instead of last?

In some situations, the words final and last are roughly equivalent. However, final applies to that which definitely closes a series, process, or progress.

final day of school

When can terminal be used instead of last?

The synonyms terminal and last are sometimes interchangeable, but terminal may indicate a limit of extension, growth, or development.

terminal phase of a disease

When is ultimate a more appropriate choice than last?

While in some cases nearly identical to last, ultimate implies the last degree or stage of a long process beyond which further progress or change is impossible.

the ultimate collapse of the system

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 last
Adjective
In a rematch of last year’s championship game against Montverde, the senior point guard had a team-high 23 points plus five assists and a steal to lead IMG to its first Chipotle Nationals title in program history. Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 25 May 2025 Suarez, who was a finalist for the Golden Boot trophy last year with 20 goals, is in a scoring slump this season. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 25 May 2025
Verb
While lacking the third-party app support of the Apple Watch SE or Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, the Venu Sq 2 excels in battery life, lasting up to 11 days in smartwatch mode or 26 hours in GPS mode. Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 23 May 2025 These are shoes that can last you a lifetime, and this is speaking from experience—I’ve had my Birkenstock slides for nearly 10 years. Abby Morgan Lebet, Glamour, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for last
Recent Examples of Synonyms for last
Adjective
  • Looking ahead in the final days South Korea’s election law bans the release of public poll results during the six days leading up to an election.
    Jong Eun Lee, The Conversation, 29 May 2025
  • Oklahoma City led by almost 30 at the half and went into the final frame with an 88-62 lead.
    Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • While another research review published this year in Nutrients says the research for athletic benefits in women isn’t yet conclusive, there are also reasons to suspect women may benefit from creatine at least as much as men, if not more, both inside and outside the gym, Dr. Smith-Ryan says.
    Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 28 May 2025
  • Though home blood pressure monitors are effective, a healthcare provider can provide more accurate and conclusive results.
    Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • Filip Jorgensen has played most of the games, but Sanchez is the No 1 and has done pretty well in recent weeks.
    Simon Johnson, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • Perishable publications Many, if not most, published research papers have titles that defy comprehension.
    Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • Purdum stresses both Arnaz’s underappreciated talents as a producer and showbiz entrepreneur and the couple’s enduring bond, which survived even their divorce and remarriages to others.
    Julia M. Klein, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
  • He is survived by his wife, Tammy Snell, and their four children: Wyatt, Ashton, Harrison and Lawson.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • Brands must be agile and deeply attuned to cultural shifts to remain relevant.
    Billee Howard, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • Those that are too old or damaged from collisions or fires to ever return to city streets sometimes remain in the yard so they can be stripped for parts or used for training.
    Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2025
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 shooting happened the day before the fifth anniversary of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting that killed 17 and is the latest in what has become a deadly new year in the U.S.
    Joey Cappelletti and Mike Householder, Anchorage Daily News, 15 Feb. 2023
Adjective
  • Rookies Willie MacIver and Logan Davidson drove in three of the A’s five runs, with Davidson scoring the tying run during a decisive eighth inning rally before MacIver’s RBI-single scored the go-ahead run.
    Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 26 May 2025
  • What sets a good doctor apart is judgment — the ability to navigate uncertainty, synthesize complex data and make decisive, accurate choices.
    Eric Snoey, Twin Cities, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • Brown is happy the game will be at CSUN instead of in the South Bay, where the previous two finals were played (at Cal State Dominguez Hills in 2023 and at Long Beach State last spring when Carson prevailed 1-0 in 14 innings despite Moorman’s 19 strikeouts).
    Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
  • The only question was whether someone else would beat him to it. Somer prevailed.
    Elise Taylor, Vogue, 28 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Last.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/last. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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