LAST Synonyms: 204 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

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adjective

Definition of last next

as in final

following all others of the same kind in order or time last one in the pool is a rotten egg fans waiting for the last book in the series to be released

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in conclusive

serving to put an end to all debate or questioning a book that purports to be the last word on the investigation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in most

of the greatest or highest degree or quantity our last praise should be reserved for those original thinkers who expand the frontiers of science and technology

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

last

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verb

ˈlast

as in to survive

to continue to operate or to meet one's needs we were lucky that the batteries lasted until we could get to the store to buy more

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to remain

to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state this heavy drought has lasted all summer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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

Kylian Mbappe was just starting to find his feet with fantastic strikes against Girona and Atalanta in his last two matches. —

Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024 Federal judges dismissed the Justice Department’s classified documents and election interference cases against Trump last month at the request of the DOJ, which has a long standing precedent of declining to prosecute sitting presidents. —

Sara Dorn, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Verb

Martial law lasted only six hours as Yoon was forced to lift it after the National Assembly unanimously voted it down. —

Hyung-Jin Kim and Kim Tong-Hyung, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024 Moon Baker cheered for four NFL championship teams, but when Detroit won its most recent title in late December 1957, the league only had 12 franchises and the playoffs lasted one round. —

Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for last

Recent Examples of Synonyms for last

Adjective

The decision in the final weeks of President Joe Biden's administration sets up a fight over the future of California's vehicle regulations.

David Shepardson, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
Passage of the measure is one of the final actions lawmakers will consider this week before adjourning for the holidays and making way for the next Congress.

Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 18 Dec. 2024