as in final
formal
occurring immediately before the last one; next to the last
the penultimate chapter of the book the penultimate syllable of the word
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Recent Examples of penultimate
The annual Pride Parade is the penultimate event and largest parade in the region.
—
David Bohnet, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 2025
After trading Mark Williams to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for the draft’s penultimate pick along with a 2029 first-round pick, Peterson snagged Connecticut’s Liam McNeeley at No. 29.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2025
However, its penultimate performance is being televised live on Saturday, June 7.
Starring George Clooney, Ilana Glazer, Clark Gregg, Fran Kranz and others, the stage play takes place at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City starting at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m.
—Rudie Obias, HollywoodReporter, 6 June 2025
The penultimate chapter is about poverty as a failure of American capitalism, and why that’s a myth.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for penultimate
David Bohnet, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 2025
After trading Mark Williams to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for the draft’s penultimate pick along with a 2029 first-round pick, Peterson snagged Connecticut’s Liam McNeeley at No. 29.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2025
However, its penultimate performance is being televised live on Saturday, June 7.
Starring George Clooney, Ilana Glazer, Clark Gregg, Fran Kranz and others, the stage play takes place at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City starting at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m.
—Rudie Obias, HollywoodReporter, 6 June 2025
The penultimate chapter is about poverty as a failure of American capitalism, and why that’s a myth.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for penultimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penultimate
Adjective
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The first three days of the third and final season of Squid Game also came during the month of June.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
15 July 2025
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While still in its final development stages, the main clubhouse is set to open in the fall of 2025, and the pre-opening space on the 59th floor at 500 Fifth Avenue is already hosting events.—
Anna Haines,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Penultimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penultimate. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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